AL JOLSON

MAJOR MUSIC ARTISTS - USA (AMERICA)


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Al Jolson

DESCRIPTION: Al Jolson

ACTIVITY STATUS: Departed

ACTIVITY PERIOD: 1904 – 1950

MUSIC GENRE: Vaudeville, Pop Standards, Jazz, Traditional Pop

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA (AMERICA)

RECORD COMPANIES / LABELS (Current & Past): Victor, Columbia, Little Wonder, Brunswick, Decca

OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://www.jolson.org/


ABOUT HIM:

Al JOLSON
(Asa Yoelson) (1886-1950)
The son of a Russian rabbi, Yoelson’s family moved to the US in the decade after his birth and settled in Washington D.C. Disturbed by the death of their mother soon after arrival in America, he and his brother Hirsh became tearaways, spending much of their time on the street and soon performing there. Adopting the names Al and Harry Jolson, they launched themselves into vaudeville. In the early 1900s Al went solo and adopted blackface, which although it would be highly offensive now, was more generally socially acceptable at the time, evolving from the travelling minstel shows. Contemporary commentators contend that he did it for the extra freedom it gave,and never intended any racial slur, though the debate continues on that point. His energetic singing and dancing and slapstick comedy made him a sensation on the vaudeville circuit, billed as “the world’s greatest entertainer” with the catchphrase “you ain’t seen nothing yet!”. He conquered Broadway, and became a recording star. Among the songs he made famous were Gershin’s Swanee, and Mammy. He starred in the first movie talkie The Jazz Singer in 1927. He later became a radio star, performed for US troops at home and abroad during WWII, and appeared in the film biography of George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue, in 1945.

By Larry Buttrose

VIDEO:


Parent Category Page Links: Music Artists / Outfits - USA (America)

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