A snapshot of the Jewish music's role in the Civil Rights struggle in Los Angeles
In 1953, a historic concert took place in Los Angeles, marking a significant moment in the city's musical and political landscape. The event, spearheaded by Cantor Julius Blackman, brought together the music of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the powerful voice of Georgia Ann Lester, an African American soprano.
This concert was more than just a musical performance; it was a testament to Cantor Blackman's political orientation and community involvement at that time. Before his career as a cantor, Blackman was a labour union organizer, and he used his political skills to found the South West California branch of the Cantors Assembly.
The concert, organised by a progressive Jewish professional association, aimed to elevate the professional status of cantors and was part of broader political reform efforts within the Jewish community. It also signified a commitment to integration and civil rights, as Blackman intentionally featured an African American singer in the concert.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a Jewish refugee from fascist Italy, composed a cantata titled "The Queen of Sheba" for the concert. This piece, along with other works by the composer, has been recorded and can be found on the Milken Archive of Jewish Music.
Georgia Ann Lester, who passed away in 1961, delivered a captivating performance of "The Queen of Sheba" at the concert. A recent performance of the same piece by The Ridgewood Choral from 2012 can be found on YouTube.
Unfortunately, the current search results do not provide substantial evidence or documentation linking Cantor Julius Blackman to Civil Rights efforts, concerts, or labor activism beyond this 1953 event. To delve deeper into his role during the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s Los Angeles, it may be necessary to consult specialized archives, historical societies, or Jewish and African American cultural records from that era.
Despite the limited available information, it is clear that Cantor Blackman was a charismatic figure with a showman's disposition, able to influence people towards his goals of political reform. His concert in 1953 was part of a broader concern with justice movements in the United States during the Civil Rights Era, and it expanded the footprint of the Jewish Music Council to include members from the broader pool of talent in Hollywood.
This concert remains a significant milestone in the history of Jewish-Black artist collaborations and the Civil Rights Movement in Los Angeles. It serves as a reminder of the powerful role that art and music can play in fostering understanding, unity, and social change.
- Cantor Julius Blackman's 1953 concert, blending education-and-self-development through music and entertainment, was also a bold statement for civil rights, demonstrating his commitment to integration by featuring an African American soprano, Georgia Ann Lester.
- The concert, a part of broader political reform efforts within the Jewish community, not only aimed to elevate the professional status of cantors but also served as a means of entertainment, showcasing the captivating performance of Lester on Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's cantata, "The Queen of Sheba."
