BLACK ARTISTS
BLACK ARTISTS
Harlem Stage was founded in part to address the historical inequities that artists of color, particularly Black artists, face. Black Artists have long been denied equal access to the arts both in cultivating and performing — whether through censorship, inequitable treatment, withheld resources, or denied the platforms commensurate with their talents.
Today, we continue in our mission to provide access and resources while enabling audiences to witness the excellence of artists of color that examine and critique our world through a variety of mediums, including music, dance, theatre, spoken word, and film.
Music
Even in the face of oppression, segregation, and limited opportunity, Black Artists have contributed significantly to the culture of America and have created many of its most famous musical styles, including jazz, hip-hop, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and gospel. Harlem Stage continues to host both renowned and rising artists spanning a wide variety of musical genres to enthusiastic audiences.
Some of the famous Black artists who’ve graced our stage include Harry Belafonte, Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach, and Maya Angelou, along with contemporary artists such as Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, Stew, Melanie Charles, José James, Xian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Kings Return, and Dormeshia.
Want to check out past performances? We encourage you to browse through our extensive archives collection.
From the Archives Spotlight:
Geri Allen's Tribute to Mary Lou Williams
The legendary Geri Allen, who the world lost in 2017, was a dear member of the Harlem Stage family, gracing our stage with mesmerizing performances, including her 2014 tribute to Mary Lou Williams. Harlem Stage From the Archives presents an excerpt from this performance.
Dance
Harlem Stage routinely hosts a wide range of dance performances, including E-Moves, our signature dance series that platforms innovative choreographers, artists, musicians, and dancers of color to display their rhythmic visions while drawing audiences into a palatial celebration of movement and message.
Past performers include Bill T. Jones, Kyle Abraham, Stefanie Batten Bland, Du'Bois A'Keen, Dormeshia, Jason Samuels Smith, Leslie Cuyjet, Sydnie L. Mosley, and Brinae Ali.
From the Archives Spotlight:
E-Moves 18 — Leyland Simmons & Co.
In the spring of 2017, Leyland Simmons and Company presented this haunting dance piece that explores modern systems of slavery.
Other Performing Arts and Events
In addition to music and dance, Harlem Stage is host to a number of performances that range from film screenings and poetry readings to theatrical productions, moderated discussions with influential Black performers, and dramatized readings of classic literary works from Black authors like Ralph Ellison.
Other programs and events include WaterWorks, our signature commissioning program created to identify, cultivate, and nurture the talents of new and emerging visionary artists of color, and Dive Deeper, a series of conversations with artists to learn more about their inspirations and creative processes, including behind-the-scenes details on what it takes to go from ideation to premiere.
Featured Artist
Kings Return
In December 2022, Harlem Stage presented a holiday themed concerted featuring the Dallas-based a capella group, Kings Return. Formed in 2016 from pre-existing friendships, Kings Return got their unassuming start recording covers in a church stairwell and posting the videos on social media. Featuring a nostalgic sound paired with impeccably-arranged harmonies, J.E. McKissic, Jamall Williams, Vaughn Faison, and Gabe Kunda have quickly risen to fame and taken their live show to various stages and venues across the country while earning accolades that include two Grammy nominations.
With a sound that’s been described as "enough to take your breath away and send a shiver down your spine,” Kings Return continues to reinterpret modern, classic pop, and gospel hits from artists such as Michael Jackson, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind, and Fire, Frank Ocean, and Kirk Franklin, along with an increasing amount of original compositions.
Learn more about Kings Return at their website.
Harlem Stage continues to host an array of diverse performances from visionary artists of color. Stay up to date on upcoming live and digital performances by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
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