Harry Belafonte

Contemporary folk, calypso, protest music

Harry Belafonte's contemporaries include artists like Joan Baez, Odetta, Judy Collins, and more. Fans of Belafonte may be interested in the work of Paul Robeson, or other calypso artists like Lord Kitchener.

The Essential Harry Belafonte (Legacy Recordings, 2005) Compare prices

The Early Years at Capitol Records (DRG/USA) Compare prices

"Day-O (Banana Boat)"
"Turn the World Around"
"Abraham, Martin and John"

Harry Belafonte was born in March, 1927, in New York City. He grew up in his grandmother's house in Jamaica until high school, when he returned to New York. After high school, he joined the Navy and served in World War II. When he returned from the War, Belafonte started studying theater in New York, and eventually won a Tony Award.

His music career began in the clubs of Manhattan, fronting the Charlie Parker Band and singing pop songs. After some time, he became increasingly interested in traditional folk music and inked a deal with RCA Victor in 1952 to record folk songs. He soon became one of the most popular purveyors of calypso music, after scoring an enormous hit with his 1956 album Calypso, which is credited with introducing American audiences to that form of folk music.

In the 1950s, he became largely involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He was also one of the chief organizers of the "We Are the World" campaign in 1985. To this day, Belafonte continues to be politically active, and to speak out for civil rights and justice. He also continues to perform to sold-out audiences around the country.

In addition to his numerous awards for acting (he was the first African-American man to win an Emmy Award), Belafonte has received Kennedy Center Honors and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.