From Here to Everywhere: Black Musical Pioneers of the Region for Black Music Month
Black Music Month was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 to recognize and celebrate the profound impact African Americans have had on music. It's no secret that Black artists have shaped the musical landscape in the U.S. and around the world. Born out of adversity, they have consistently transformed struggle into art, pioneering new genres and inspiring countless others to express themselves creatively. In honor of the month, we’re bridging generations by spotlighting both legendary and emerging African American musicians from the region.
Blast From The Past
Cab Calloway - Jazz
Some may recognize Cab Calloway’s name from the performing arts school in Wilmington, Delaware. Born in Rochester, NY in 1907, Calloway spent his later years in the beautiful town of Hockessin, Delaware. He was a renowned jazz singer and bandleader, best known for his electrifying performances at Harlem’s iconic Cotton Club during the swing era. Blending jazz with vaudeville, he carved out a unique style that earned him widespread acclaim over a remarkable career spanning more than 65 years. Despite the harsh reality of performing in venues he wasn’t even allowed to enter as a guest due to segregation, Calloway rose to fame—becoming a household name and one of the few Black musicians permitted to headline for all-white audiences.
Sister Rossetta Tharpe - Rock and Roll
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often referred to as the Godmother of Rock and Roll, and for good reason. An American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, she was born in Arkansas and spent her final years in Philadelphia, where she is now buried. Tharpe rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s with groundbreaking gospel recordings that fused spiritual lyrics with electrifying electric guitar work. Her innovative sound laid the foundation for rock and roll, inspiring legends like Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and fellow Arkansan Johnny Cash.
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff - Hip Hop
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff made their mark as a rapper-DJ duo in Philadelphia’s vibrant hip-hop scene during the 1980s. Jeff Townes, better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is a West Philadelphia native who has called Bear, Delaware, home for over two decades. The duo rose to prominence with their 1988 album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper, a triple-platinum success that played a key role in bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, and eventually one of the most listened to genres in the world, during a time when the genre was still often dismissed by white audiences as vulgar or inaccessible.
Jimmie Allen - Country
Moving from decades ago to right now, Jimmie Allen is Nashville-based Milton, Delaware-born, country music singer and songwriter who blazed an unconventional path in country music. Allen's debut single, "Best Shot", was released in February 2018 and became a significant milestone in his career. The song not only topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart but also made history by becoming the first debut single by a Black artist to reach No. 1 on that chart.You can catch Jimmie Allen live at Bally’s Casino in Dover, Delaware on June 20th. For more information and tickets, click here.
Orion Sun - Rnb/Pop
Orion Sun is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who first broke out with her 2017 debut album “A Collection of Fleeting Moments and Daydreams”. Originally from Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey, she spent formative years living and creating in Philadelphia before relocating to the West Coast. In 2020, after being injured by police during a racial justice protest in her hometown, Sun, whose real name is Tiffany Majette, channeled the experience into her music. She wrote the powerful track “Mama’s Baby,” using its release as a force for good. Through Bandcamp sales alone, she raised over $18,000, donating the proceeds to Breonna Taylor’s GoFundMe and the Loveland Foundation.
