- Jolson, Al
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died Oct. 23, 1950, San Francisco, Calif., U.S.Russian-born U.S. singer, songwriter, and blackface comedian.Jolson's family arrived in the U.S. in 1893 and settled in Washington, D.C., where Jolson made his first stage appearance in 1899, performing in vaudeville before joining a minstrel troupe (see minstrel show) in 1909. In New York City he was featured in musicals such as La Belle Paree (1911), Honeymoon Express (1913), and Big Boy (1925). In Sinbad (1918) he transformed the unsuccessful George Gershwin song "Swanee" into his trademark number. In Bombo (1921) he introduced "My Mammy," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie," and "California, Here I Come." In 1927 he starred in The Jazz Singer, the first feature film with synchronized speech as well as music and sound effects. His later films include The Singing Fool (1928), Mammy (1930), and Swanee River (1940).
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▪ American singerbyname of Asa Yoelsonborn May 26, 1886, Srednike, Russiadied Oct. 23, 1950, San Franciscopopular U.S. singer and blackface comedian of the musical stage and motion pictures, from before World War I to 1940. His unique singing style and personal magnetism established an immediate rapport with audiences.Brought to the United States when he was seven years old, Jolson was reared in Washington, D.C., where he made his first stage appearance in 1899. He performed with his brother and others in vaudeville before joining Lew Dockstader's minstrel troupe in 1909. He became a popular New York entertainer and singer, being featured in the musicals La Belle Paree (1911), Honeymoon Express (1913), Bombo (1921), and Big Boy (1925). In Sinbad (1918) he transformed an unsuccessful Gershwin song, “Swanee,” into his trademark number. And in Bombo he introduced “My Mammy.” The same show included three Jolson favourites: “Toot, Toot, Tootsie,” “California, Here I Come,” and “April Showers.” Some of his biggest successes were achieved at the New York Winter Garden.In 1927 Jolson starred in The Jazz Singer, the first feature film with synchronized speech as well as music and sound effects. The picture revolutionized the motion-picture industry and marked the end of the silent-film era. Other films include The Singing Fool (1928), Say It with Songs (1929), Mammy (1930), Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (1933), Go into Your Dance (1935), and Swanee River (1940). The story of his life was filmed in The Jolson Story (1946) and a sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949). He also collaborated in the writing of many song hits and was a very popular recording artist.* * *
Universalium. 2010.