In celebration of our 44th President: The Music of Black America

In honor of our new president, I am going to start a series entitled, The music of black America. I will feature the music, artists, the struggles, unique culture and perspective that black Americans have brought into the American experience and thus contributed to our musical heritage as a nation.

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917), is an iconic American singer and actress. She has recorded and performed extensively, independently and with other jazz notables, including Artie Shaw, Teddy Wilson, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnet, and Billy Eckstine. She currently lives in New York City and no longer makes public appearances.

She was originally considered for the role of Julie LaVerne in MGM's 1951 version of Show Boat (having already played the role when a segment of Show Boat was performed in Till the Clouds Roll By) but Ava Gardner was given the role instead (the production code office had banned interracial relationships in films). In the documentary That's Entertainment! III Horne stated that MGM executives required Gardner to practice her singing using recordings of Horne performing the songs, which offended both actresses (ultimately, Gardner ended up having her singing voice overdubbed by another actress (Annette Warren (Smith)) for the theatrical release, though her own voice was heard on the soundtrack album).

*Information Source: Wikipedia

Ms. Horne is featured here singing what has come to be known as her signature song, Stormy Weather.