Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 26, 1886 in Seredzius, Lithuania

Death

:

October 23, 1950 in San Francisco, CA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Al Jolson was a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actor who was born on May 26, 1886, in Lithuania. He was the youngest of four children born to Moses Yoelson and Naomi Cantor. His family immigrated to the United States when he was just five years old, settling in Washington, D.C. Jolson's father was a cantor in a local synagogue, and he encouraged his son's musical talents from a young age. Jolson began performing in vaudeville shows as a child, and by the age of 15, he had left home to pursue a career in show business. He performed in various vaudeville acts and eventually landed a role in the Broadway musical "La Belle Paree" in 1911. It was during this time that Jolson began to develop his signature style of singing, which was characterized by his powerful voice and emotional delivery. Jolson's breakthrough came in 1917 when he starred in the musical "Robinson Crusoe, Jr." The show was a huge success, and Jolson's performance of the song "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" became a hit. He went on to star in several other successful musicals, including "Sinbad" and "Bombo." In addition to his work on stage, Jolson also made several successful recordings. His 1920 recording of "Swanee" became one of the best-selling records of the decade, and he went on to record many other popular songs, including "April Showers" and "Sonny Boy." Jolson's success continued throughout the 1920s, and he became one of the most popular entertainers in the country. He starred in several successful films, including "The Jazz Singer" in 1927, which was the first feature-length film with synchronized sound. Jolson's performance in the film, which included his rendition of the song "Mammy," was a huge success and helped to popularize sound films. Jolson continued to perform throughout the 1930s and 1940s, but his popularity began to wane as new forms of entertainment, such as radio and television, emerged. He made his last film appearance in 1949 and retired from performing in 1950. Despite his retirement, Jolson's influence on popular music continued to be felt for many years. His emotional delivery and powerful voice inspired many other singers, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Jolson was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, and his recordings continue to be popular with music fans today. In conclusion, Al Jolson was a pioneering figure in the world of popular music. His powerful voice and emotional delivery helped to define the style of singing that would become known as "crooning," and his success on stage and screen helped to popularize new forms of entertainment. Jolson's influence on popular music continues to be felt today, and his legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time is secure.

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