A Biography of E. Azalia Smith Hackley, 1867-1922, African-American Singer and Social Activist (Black Studies, V. 14)
Publisher: Edwin Mellen Press
Published: April 2001
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 390
ISBN-13: 9780773475755
Subjects: Biography: general; Political activism; Sacred & religious music; 20th century; c 1800 to c 1900; Black Musicians And Their Music; Vocal Music; Biography & Autobiography; Biography / Autobiography; Business/Economics; Africa; General; Entertainment & Performing Arts - General; Ethnomusicology; Instruction & Study - Voice; (Emma Azalia),; 1867-1922; African-American singers; Biography; Hackley, E. Azalia; Sopranos (Singers); United States
Description: "Madame E. Azalia Hackley was an African American classical singer, social worker, writer, philanthropist, and activist who championed the use of African-American spirituals among the African-American people as a tool for social change. Her efforts laid the groundwork for the use of spirituals as freedom songs during the Civil Rights Movement.

This work used newspaper accounts and archive studies documenting Madame Hackley's tours cross-country and abroad to raise funds for African-American classical musicians. It shows Hackley's intense devotion to her African-American roots, as she easily could have passed for white. Nevertheless, she traveled throughout the South in 'Jim Crow' railway cars by choice.

This work also recovers several of her influential published works, including A Guide to Voice Culture (1909); The Colored Girl Beautiful (1916); an etiquette book for African-American women desiring professional jobs; and "Hints to Young Colored Artists", a series of articles designed to help young African-American classical musicians succeed. Includes illustrations."--BOOK JACKET.