Harlem Renaissance Essay Example

The Harlem Renaissance was a golden period of African American culture, music and art. Alberta Hunter was one of the countless hardworking, influential and ambitious ladies of the Harlem Renaissance. At the age of 11 Alberta ran away from her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee to Chicago, Illinois. Chicago was a popular destination for African Americans looking for a better life. Hunter had dreams of becoming a singer. Living in Chicago, Hunter had access to many of Chicago's live music clubs. By using style to her advantage she dressed older and was able to sneak into bars where she got a chance at singing. 

Alberta Hunter worked her way out of poverty to become an influential singer making herself a staple of hard work and ambition. For years she worked hard singing in clubs and by 1917 she sang in Dreamland Café alongside King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, which included Louis Armstrong. According to Britanicia she “achieved international fame in the 1930s for her vigorous and rhythmically infectious style” (Britanicia). She is an inspirational lady due to her endless list of accomplishments within and after the Harlem Renaissance. She performed in Europe and the U.S.O, starred in plays, films and musicals and recorded several records. According to “was the first African American singer to be backed by a white band” (SOURCE). Due to her travels she was able to spread jazz from America to across the nation. 

Hunter was a persistent and ambitious lady and constantly pushed herself which took her far in life. Amy Alexander in her book “Fifty Black Women Who Changed America states that “Alberta Hunter was the godmother of blues and jazz singers. Her legacy of songwriting and snappy performance style were passed on to a long line of women singers” (Alexander 59). The Harlem Renaissance allowed African Americans to have pride in themselves and their people. Alberta was the front of bringing black performers, both men and women, the respect and admiration they deserved. 

References 

Alexander, Amy. Fifty Black Women Who Changed America. Kensington Publishing Corp. 2003.