Skyscrapers in U.S. history

Skyscrapers have been a part of the urban American experience for more than 140 years. The first of these tall buildings were constructed in the 1880s, which the cities began to expand. 

These were buildings that were at least 10 stories tall, which began being constructed in cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Chicago was home of the first steel skyscraper – the Home Insurance Building, which was erected in 1895. It would only last for over 30 years – it was demolished in 1931. 

  

New York’s Flatiron Building was another early skyscraper, erected in lower Manhattan in 1901. Unlike the Home Insurance Building, the Flatiron Building still stands today, although it is dwarfed by the taller buildings that now dot the New York City landscape. 

By the 1960s, skyscrapers were taking on a different look. Architect Fazlur Rahman Khan pioneered with the using of tubular designs for high-rises, something which Khan utilized when he designed Chicago’s Sears (now Willis) Tower, which became the world’s tallest building – a record it held from 1973 to 1998. 

Now, skyscrapers are prevalent all over the world. In fact, the six tallest buildings in the world are located outside the United States. New York’s One World Trade Center is now the 7th tallest building in the world.

James Brown and His Famous Flames -- "Please, Please, Please"

James Brown was one of the most creative entertainers in the 20th century. For more than 50 years, he set the standard in rhythm & blues and was an innovator in music.

He was also one of the most creative dancers of his time. Here he is in the 1964 film "The TAMI Show", where he performed one of his most famous songs, "Please, Please, Please".

Here is JB with the Famous Flames during that number. The Famous Flames were also talented dancers -- watch their choreography here while Brown sings:

One of the most famous parts of this routine was when JB had a cape placed over his shoulders, in an effort to get him off the stage. Brown thwarts this effort by tossing off the cape after it is placed on his shoulders:

 

JB keeps using the cape as a prop. Now he will fall to his knees and have his MC, Danny Ray, put the cape back on, so he can immediately take it off again. Like so:

 

 

Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance

Carl Van Vechten was a famous photographer who had a passion for all things African-American. The Dutch artist moved to Harlem in the early 20th century, just at a time when African-Americans were moving into that historic community. He soon established a relationship with many artists in Harlem.

Van Vechten moved to Harlem as an opportune time, when the Harlem Renaissance was just beginning. He soon opened a studio in Upper Manhattan, where he was inviting artists to come up and become portraits for him.

Blues singer Bessie Smith at an unknown location in February 1936. (Photo by Carl Van Vechten)

1. Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith, also known as the "Empress of the Blues", was a pioneering vocalist who was influential to countless jazz and blues performers. She was the first of the "Blues Shouters", who had perfect pitch and a powerful voice, which was used in many songs which became blues standards. Her most famous pieces were done with a group of jazz musicians in New York, under the credit of producer John Hammond back in 1933. She became friends with Carl Van Vechten during that time, which led to this photo being taken.

My five favorite websites

 I am a huge fan of news sites on the web that offer extensive multimedia. So most of the websites that I visit are strong visual news sites.

One of my favorite sites for news is the New York Times. For the past 20 years, the Times has been unique in offering video, graphics and other interactive offerings.

I am also a fan of the work done by ESPN. You may think of ESPN as primarily a television network, but this Disney-owned sports site has much more online, including interactive stats, games and offerings.

Jazz in the Big Apple - 1940s

 

The history of jazz has seen many cities and many eras influence this great art form. But few cities and eras have had an effect on the music like New York City had on jazz in the 1940s.  During this time, the music changed: the orchestral, big band sound was replaced by the smaller combo sound, which was symbolized by the rise of bebop.

Legendary jazz photographer William Gottlieb captured this period in a series of evocative photos that are now featured on the Library of Congress website. These images are both in black and white and color, but they are all a time capsule of jazz in a period when it was at its most influential and creative. Here are some of the great -- and some of the most obscure -- artists and images featured in Gottlieb's series:

1. Cat Anderson

Trumpeter Cat Anderson plays at the Aquarium Night Club in New York City between 1946 and 1948. (Photo by William Gottlieb)

 

 

Cat Anderson was a well known trumpeter during the Swing Era. He was best known for his high register trumpet, which was featured most notably in Duke Ellington's Orchestra between 1944 and 1971. Anderson also played for Lionel Hampton and had his own band. He had an interesting back story, because he was raised in an orphanage in South Carolina and learned to play music there.

2. Henry "Red" Allen

Trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen performs in New York City between 1946 and 1948. (Photo by William Gottlieb)

 

Henry "Red" Allen was a Dixieland trumper who also could play modern. He was best known for his work with pioneering big band leader Fletcher Henderson, but he played with numerous other orchestras. In the 1950s and '60s, he was regularly featured at the Metropole Club in Manhattan.