Black History Quiz #1 Feb. 24'

Who am I….?  

Find the names of these Black American artists and musicians. 

1). Born in 1928, I was a jazz singer whose soulful voice was central in creating  what today is known as R&B. I won both a Grammy and a Tony award; and hosted the radio program “Blues Stage” on NPR. I died in 2006. 

2). I was born in 1874 in the British West Indies and immigrated to America at age 19. I was a comedic actor with impeccable timing on stage. I worked first in a Vaudeville troupe before coming to Broadway where I was the first Black actor to break the color barrier and work openly with white performers. I died in 1922.

3). Born in 1911, I was an artist who used several mediums including oil paints, cartoons and collages. I attended NYU, graduating in 1935. Some of more famous works include “Out Chorus”, “Patchwork Quilt”, “Roots” and” Mecklenburg Autumn”. I died in 1988. 

4) Born in Rodgers, Texas in 1931,  I was a dancer, choreographer, and director whose dance studio,  theater and touring company is still in operation today. My vision of “Black bodies unshackled and overflowing with feeling” lives on although I died in 1989. 

5). I was born in 1911 and grew up in Sandusky, Ohio. I was an artist and the first Black American to be admitted to the Cleveland Institute of Art. I also attended the Cleveland School of the Arts and what is now Case Western Reserve University.  I am one of the original founders of Cleveland’s famous Karamu House theater. My work is on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.   

6). Born in Mississippi in 1913 (or maybe 1915…), I am known as the “father of modern Chicago blues”. My music has influenced Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, BB King, and Led Zeppelin.