Account of Jewish music's role during the Civil Rights struggle in Los Angeles
In 1953, Cantor Julius Blackman, a prominent figure in the Los Angeles Jewish community, spearheaded a groundbreaking concert. This event, produced by the Jewish Music Council, an advisory board for the University of Judaism, was more than just a musical performance; it aimed to forge bonds between Jewish and Black artists and support the Civil Rights movement.
At the heart of this concert was Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a Jewish refugee composer from fascist Italy who had established himself as an important figure in classical music on the American West Coast. His work, "The Queen of Sheba," composed specifically for this concert, is not recorded, but a recent performance by The Ridgewood Choral from 2012 can be found on YouTube.
The African American soprano, Georgia Ann Lester, was another key participant. She lent her voice to the concert, elevating the professional status of cantors and reinforcing the political orientation of Cantor Blackman and his community. Strelitzer conducted Castelnuovo-Tedesco's "The Queen of Sheba" at the concert, as reported by the B'nai B'rith Messenger.
Cantor Blackman's activism extended beyond the realm of music. He was involved in labor organizing and community building, serving as the founding president of the South West California branch of the Cantors Assembly. His unflagging energy and showman's disposition influenced people towards his goals of political reform.
Despite extensive research, there is no widely known figure named Cantor Julius Blackman specifically recognized for activism bridging Jewish and Black artists or for leadership in Civil Rights in mid-20th century Los Angeles. It is possible that this is a less-documented or local historical figure, or that the query pertains to a specialized or recently highlighted subject without extensive public records.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's personal website documents his life and work, providing a wealth of information about the composer. Similarly, Georgia Ann Lester is documented on the African Diaspora of Sacred Music & Musicians website.
The concert's political orientation was one of activism and community building. Cantor Blackman reached out to members of the Hollywood music community, as discussed in his interview with Levin, to create a sense of connection between the organized Jewish community and Jewish artists working in Hollywood.
He also spearheaded the Jewish Music Council, an advisory board for the University of Judaism, to raise musical education standards and boost the prestige of the Los Angeles cantorial community. This concert, therefore, was not just a musical event; it was a testament to the power of art in fostering unity and supporting social change.
In conclusion, the 1953 concert produced by Cantor Blackman serves as a significant milestone in the history of cross-cultural collaboration in Los Angeles. It brought together Italian Jewish refugee composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and African American soprano Georgia Ann Lester, creating a unique blend of music that echoed the spirit of the Civil Rights movement. Despite the lack of extensive public records, this concert stands as a testament to Cantor Blackman's vision and his commitment to bridging communities through art.
- This unique concert, not just a musical event, also served as a platform for education and self-development, fostering bonds between the organized Jewish community and Jewish artists working in Hollywood.
- Beyond the realm of music, the concert also embodied entertainment, showcasing the extraordinary talents of Italian Jewish refugee composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and African American soprano Georgia Ann Lester, thereby reinforcing the power of art in inspiring social change and unity.
