In honor of Black History Month, we're celebrating five musicians and their groundbreaking contributions. From opera singers to country music stars, this group of talented performers has made its permanent mark on music history.
Be sure to check out our posts highlighting influential inventors, explorers, and changemakers, too.
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George
(1745–1799)
In the 18th century, Joseph Bologne’s talent knew no bounds; he was a master fencer, skilled violinist, prolific composer, and courageous soldier. Born in Guadeloupe to a French father and an enslaved African mother, he overcame France’s racial hierarchies to join the most prestigious orchestra in Paris. His career had him rubbing shoulders with Mozart and performing for Queen Marie Antoinette. During the turbulent French Revolution, he even led an all-Black regiment into battle and managed to escape the fate of the guillotine.
To learn more about Bologne’s incredible life, check out our kids’ magazine Issue 29 | Colossal, or press play on our podcast Anytime Now.
Marian Anderson (1897–1993)
This opera singer’s voice was described as a sound "heard once in a hundred years." Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia and, like many singers, began her career in her family’s church. By the age of 6, it was clear she was a star, earning the nickname “Baby Contralto.” The church congregation believed in her so deeply that they started a fund to pay for voice lessons with the city’s top instructors. Their investment paid off: Anderson’s voice would capture the hearts of audiences across Europe and the United States.
In 1939, after being barred from Constitution Hall due to her race, she performed a historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for 75,000 people. Anderson later made history again, becoming the first Black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Fletcher Henderson (1897–1952)
This little-known musician is one of the most influential bandleaders in jazz history. Fletcher Henderson was born into a middle-class family in Cuthbert, Georgia. His mother, who was a teacher, began giving him piano lessons when he was just 6 years old. Although he showed promise as a musician, Henderson decided to become a scientist and graduated from university with a degree in mathematics and chemistry. Everything changed, however, when he moved to New York and shared an apartment with a fellow pianist. One evening, when his roommate was too sick to perform, Henderson offered to fill in.
Soon after, Henderson was pulled into the world of jazz, playing piano for some of New York's most prolific musicians. In 1924, he was responsible for hiring the now-famous trumpeter, Louis Armstrong, into his band. Henderson’s musical arrangements would help establish the unique sound of swing music. It is only fitting that today he is often remembered as the “King of Swing.”
Miriam Makeba (1932–2008)
This singer and civil rights activist is considered one of the most famous African performers in history. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Miriam Makeba grew up during apartheid. While much of South Africa was divided by race, she spent her childhood in the vibrant, multicultural area of Sophiatown. Makeba loved music from a young age, often singing in church and for local bands. In 1959, she made the courageous decision to move to New York to escape South Africa’s apartheid.
In the 1960s and 70s, Makeba’s famous song, “Pata Pata”, would earn her international fame. Throughout her career, she used her voice to sing about the injustices she experienced living under apartheid. As a result, the South African government banned her from returning home for over 30 years. Known affectionately as "Mama Africa," Miriam Makeba would be remembered for bringing African music, languages, and culture to the world stage.
Want to learn more about South Africa’s history? Check out our kids' magazine Issue 25 | A Good Hope.
DeFord Bailey (1899–1982)
This self-taught virtuoso is considered history’s first Black country music star. Born and raised in Tennessee, DeFord Bailey came from a family of musicians who filled his childhood with the sounds of fiddles, guitars, and banjos. When he was just three years old, he picked up the harmonica while recovering from polio. Little did he know back then how important this moment would be.
After years of practicing and playing, Bailey earned himself the nickname the “Harmonica Wizard.” His performances dazzled audiences around the country as they tuned in to hear him on the radio. Despite the segregation of the music industry, Bailey’s style made him one of the most popular and highest-paid performers in early country music. He was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Looking for inspiring stories for your classroom or home library? We recommend our kids magazine. Issue 8 | The Spirit of the Games, Issue 13 | The Golden Rule, and Issue 25 | A Good Hope are our top picks for Black History Month.
