1940s Jazz in NYC

 In the 1940s, just a decade after the Harlem Renaissance, the Jazz had become the most popular music at that time. New York City, amongst other cities, had become the capital of Jazz music to thrive, especially for American Americans. Jazz soon became the music that swept the nation.

1.Edward K "Duke" Ellington

Duke Ellington and Group on the cover of Down Beat Nov. 1946 (William P. Gottlieb)

Duke Ellington is one of the most recognized jazz musicians of all time. During the 1940's his music was so good that he became a regular performer at the Cotton Club. In 1931 he was invited to the White House. In 1971, just 4 years before his death, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2. Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald in NYC in 1946 (William Gottlieb)

Ella Fitzgerald rose to fame at the pure age of 21. Throughout her life she was known as the First Lady of Song and the Jazz Queen. In 1979 she was inducted into the Down Beat Magazine Hall of Fame. In her lifetime she has won 14 Grammy's and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

3. 52nd Street NY

52nd Street New York, NY July 1948 (William Gottlieb)

52nd Street was in the 1940s was the place that all the Jazz greats performed. In 1933, 52nd Street replaced 133rd Street as "Swing Street" of the city.  52nd Street was a 1.9 mile between 5th and 7th Avenues filled with jazz clubs and lively night life.

4. Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway Columbia Studio 1947 (William Gottlieb)

The man known as Cab Calloway was jazz singer and bandleader. He was one of the few jazz artists that became a regular performer at the Cotton Club. In 1931, his song "Minnie the Moocher" became the No.1 song, selling more than 1 million copies. He was awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Clinton in 1993.

5. Lena Horne

Lena Horne and Husband Lennie Hayton in NYC in 1948 (William Gottlieb)

Lena Horne was a jazz singer, dancer, actress in the 1940's. She was the first African American to tour with an all-white band in 1940. During her career she became an activist and fought against racism. In 1981 she starred in her own one-woman Broadway show called Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, earning her 2 Grammys and a special Oscar. She died in 2010 at 92 years old.