Difference between revisions of "Josephine Baker" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Circa 1925.jpg|thumb|Josephine Baker, c. 1920]]
 
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{{Infobox musical artist
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'''Josephine Baker''' ([[June 3]], [[1906]] - [[April 12]], [[1975]]), born<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Biography | work = official site of Josephine Baker | publisher = © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc. | date = | url = http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html| format =  | doi = | accessdate = 2006-09-28  }}</ref> was an American-born dancer, actress and singer. She was given the nicknames "Black Venus", "Black Pearl", and "Creole Goddess". She became a citizen of France in [[1937]].
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| Name                = Josephine Baker
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| Img                = Ytftyfyhtg.JPG
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| Img_capt            = Josephine Baker costumed for ''Paris mes amours'', 1959.
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| Img_size            = 200
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| Landscape          =
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| Background          = temporary
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| Birth_name          = Josephine Baker
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| Alias              =
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| Born                = [[June 3]], [[1906]]
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| Died                = [[April 12]], [[1975]]
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| Origin              = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
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| Instrument          =
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| Voice_type          =
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| Genre              = [[Cabaret]]
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| Occupation          = [[Singer]]<br>[[Dancer]]
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| Years_active        =
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| Label              =
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| Associated_acts    =
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| URL                =
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| Current_members    =
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| Past_members        =
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| Notable_instruments =
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}}
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'''Josephine Baker''' (or '''Joséphine Baker''' in francophone countries) ([[June 3]], [[1906]] &ndash; [[April 12]], [[1975]])<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Biography | work = official site of Josephine Baker | publisher = © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc. | date = | url = http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html| format =  | doi = | accessdate = 2006-09-28  }}</ref> was an [[United States|American]]-born [[France|French]] entertainer, most noted for her singing career, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer (she is often credited as a movie star, although she only starred in 3 films in her early career). She was given the nicknames "Black Venus" or "Black Pearl" and "Créole Goddess", while in France she was known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker". She became a citizen of [[France]] in [[1937]]. She is also noted for her contributions to the [[Civil Rights Movement]] in North America, and for being an inspiration to generations of [[African-American]] female entertainers. Josephine Baker adopted 12 orphans of different ethnicities and nationalities <ref>{{cite web | last = Whitaker | first = Charles | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The real-life Josephine Baker: what the movie didn't tell you.| work = | publisher = LookSmart | date = June 1991| url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n8_v46/ai_10806099| format =  | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-03}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | last = King| first = Kwa | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Josephine Baker| work = Musicians of the Harlem Reniassance| publisher = The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts| date = | url = http://asms.k12.ar.us/classes/humanities/amstud/97-98/jazz/PAGE8.HTM| format =  | doi = | accessdate = 2007-08-03}}</ref>
  
 
== Biography ==
 
== Biography ==
 
=== Early life ===  
 
=== Early life ===  
  
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Josephine Baker was born on [[June 3 ]], in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], the daughter of Carrie McDonald.  Her father's identity is debated. It is often said that he was Eddie Carson, who certainly was the lover of Carrie McDonald.<ref>Jean-Claude Baker & Ben Dovrho, ''Josephine: The Hungry Heart''. Random House, New York, 1933</ref> Her father is identified as vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson by the official biography of her estate;<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Biography | work = official site of Josephine Baker | publisher = © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc. | url = http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2006-09-11  }}</ref> however, there are other sources that state that her father was a travelling [[Jew]]ish salesman.<ref>Symons, Alan. ''The Jewish Contribution to the 20th Century''. London: Polo Publishing, 1997.</ref> She was of mixed ethnic background:    [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]/[[African American]]. She descended from [[Apalachee]] [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indians]] and Black slaves in [[South Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Josephine Baker | work = africanamericans.com | publisher = AfricanAmericans.com | date = | url = http://www.africanamericans.com/JosephineBaker.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-11 }}</ref>
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Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on [[June 3]], in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], the daughter of Carrie McDonald.  Her father's identity is debated. Her father is identified as vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson by the official biography of her estate<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Biography | work = official site of Josephine Baker | publisher = © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc. | url = http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2006-09-11  }}</ref>, but according to Jean-Claude Baker's prolific and well-researched biography: {{cquote| ... (Josephine Baker's) father was identified (on the birth certificate) simply as "Edw" ... I think Josephine's father was white&mdash;so did Josephine, so did her family&mdash;and I think (the father) cared about Carrie ... and people in St. Louis say that Carrie had worked for a German family (around the time she became pregnant). (Carrie) let people think Eddie Carson was the father, and Carson played along ... (but) Josephine knew better.<ref>Jean-Claude Baker & Chris Chase, ''Josephine: The Hungry Heart''. Random House, New York, 1993</ref> }}
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[[Image:Baker Banana 2.jpg|thumb|<center>Joséphine Baker pictured in her most famous costume for the ''Danse sauvage''.]]
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Josephine Baker's true ethnic background is unknown. Her mother Carrie was adopted in [[Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]] in 1886 by Richard and Elvira McDonald, both of whom were former slaves of both African and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] descent,<ref>Jean-Claude Baker & Chris Chase, ''Josephine: The Hungry Heart''. Random House, New York, 1993</ref>
  
 
She started her career as a [[street performer]], dancing in the street as a child. She entered [[vaudeville]] joining the St. Louis Chorus at 15. She then headed to [[New York City]] during the [[Harlem Renaissance]], performing at the Plantation Club and in the chorus of the popular [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] revues ''Shuffle Along'' (1921) and ''The Chocolate Dandies'' (1924). She performed as the last dancer in a [[chorus line]], a position in which the dancer traditionally performed in a comic manner, as if they were unable to remember the dance, until the [[encore]], at which point they would not only perform it correctly, but with additional complexity. She was then billed as "the highest-paid chorus girl in [[vaudeville]]."
 
She started her career as a [[street performer]], dancing in the street as a child. She entered [[vaudeville]] joining the St. Louis Chorus at 15. She then headed to [[New York City]] during the [[Harlem Renaissance]], performing at the Plantation Club and in the chorus of the popular [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] revues ''Shuffle Along'' (1921) and ''The Chocolate Dandies'' (1924). She performed as the last dancer in a [[chorus line]], a position in which the dancer traditionally performed in a comic manner, as if they were unable to remember the dance, until the [[encore]], at which point they would not only perform it correctly, but with additional complexity. She was then billed as "the highest-paid chorus girl in [[vaudeville]]."
  
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On [[October 2]], [[1925]], she opened in [[Paris]] at the [[Théâtre des Champs-Élysées]], where she became an instant success for her [[burlesque|erotic dancing]] and for appearing practically [[nude]] on stage. After a successful tour of [[Europe]], she reneged on her contract and returned to [[France]] to star at the [[Folies Bergère]], setting the standard for her future acts. She performed wearing only [[high heels]] and a skirt made of [[banana]]s; she was often accompanied by her pet [[cheetah]], Chiquita, who was adorned with a [[diamond]] collar. The cheetah frequently escaped into the [[orchestra pit]], where it terrorized the musicians, adding yet another element of excitement to the show.
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On [[October 2]], [[1925]], she opened in [[Paris]] at the [[Théâtre des Champs-Élysées]], where she became an instant success for her [[burlesque|erotic dancing]] and for appearing practically [[nude]] on stage. After a successful tour of [[Europe]], she reneged on her contract and returned to [[France]] to star at the [[Folies Bergère]], setting the standard for her future acts. She performed the ''Danse sauvage'', wearing a costume consisting of a skirt made of a string of artificial [[banana]]s.
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In later shows in Paris she was often accompanied on stage by her pet [[cheetah]] Chiquita, who was adorned with a [[diamond]] collar. The cheetah frequently escaped into the [[orchestra pit]], where it terrorized the musicians, adding yet another element of excitement to the show.
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===  Rise to Fame ===
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After a short while she was the most successful American entertainer working in France &mdash; whereas in the [[United States|U.S.]], she would have suffered from the [[racism|racial]] prejudices common to the era. [[Ernest Hemingway]] called her ''" ... the most sensational woman anyone ever saw."'' In addition to being a musical star, Baker also starred in three films which only found success in Europe: the [[silent film]] ''[[Siren of the Tropics]]'' (1927), ''[[Zouzou]]'' (1934) and ''[[Princesse Tamtam]]'' (1935). Although Josephine Baker is often credited as a movie star, her starring roles ended with ''Princesse Tamtam'' in 1935.
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[[Image:Josephine Baker - Bobino Carnaval.JPG|thumb|right|250px|<center>Josephine Baker in the scene ''Carnaval'' from her final Parisian revue, ''Joséphine à Bobino, 1975''. Baker was much celebrated for her elaborate ''Folies Bergère'' inspired head-dresses and costumes.]]
  
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=== Rise to fame ===
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At this time she also scored her greatest song hit, "''J'ai deux amours''" (1931) and became a muse for contemporary authors, painters, designers, and sculptors including [[Langston Hughes]], [[Ernest Hemingway]], [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]], [[Pablo Picasso]], and [[Christian Dior]].
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After a short while she was the most successful American entertainer working in France&mdash;whereas in the [[United States|U.S.]], she would have suffered from the [[racism|racial]] prejudices common to the era. [[Ernest Hemingway]] called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." In addition to being a musical star, Baker also starred in several successful films, among them ''Zouzou'' (1934) and ''Princesse Tamtam'' (1935).
 
  
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Upon marrying her manager Giuseppe Pepito Abatino&mdash;a Sicilian stonemason who passed himself off successfully as a Sicilian [[count]]&mdash;Baker transformed her stage and public persona into a sophisticated cultural figure. (The marriage was reportedly a publicity stunt and not legally binding.)
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Under the management of Giuseppe Pepito Abatino &mdash; a Sicilian stonemason who passed himself off successfully as a Sicilian [[count]], Baker's stage and public persona, as well as her singing voice, went through an extraordinary transformation. In 1934 she took the lead in a revival of [[Jacques Offenbach]]'s 1875 opera ''[[La créole]]'' at the [[Théâtre Marigny]] in the [[Champs-Élysées]] of Paris, which premiered in December of that year for a six month run. In preparation for the her performances she went through months of training with a vocal coach.  
  
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[[Image:Baker Banana 2.jpg|thumb|Joséphine Baker pictured in her most famous outfit - the legendary 'banana skirt'.]]
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In the words of [[Shirley Bassey]], who has cited Baker as her primary influence, ''" ... she went from a 'petite danseuse sauvage' with a decent voice to 'la grande diva magnifique' ... I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."''
  
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At this time she also scored her greatest song hit "''J'ai deux amours''" (1931) and became a muse for contemporary authors, painters, and sculptors including [[Langston Hughes]], [[Ernest Hemingway]], [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]], and [[Pablo Picasso]].
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She was so well known and popular with the French people that even the [[Nazism|Nazis]], who occupied France during [[World War II]], were hesitant to cause her harm. In turn, this allowed Baker to show her loyalty to her adopted country by participating in the [[French Resistance|Underground]], when she smuggled intelligence to the resistance in Spain coded within her sheet music. After the war, for her underground activity, Baker was awarded the [[Croix de Guerre]] and the [[Légion d'Honneur]] by General [[Charles de Gaulle]], and also the [[Rosette of the Résistance]].<ref name=AABaker>
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  "Josephine Baker - Biographical Essay" (bio),
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  webpage:
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  [http://www.africanamericans.com/JosephineBaker.htm AA-JBaker].
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</ref>
  
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She was so well known and popular that even the [[Nazism|Nazis]], who occupied France during [[World War II]] were hesitant to cause her harm. In turn, this allowed Baker to show her loyalty to her adopted country by participating in the [[French Resistance|Underground]]. After the war, Baker was awarded the [[Croix de Guerre]] for her underground activity.
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Yet despite her popularity in France, she never obtained the same reputation at home. Upon a visit to the United States in [[1936]], she starred in a failed version of the ''[[Ziegfeld Follies]]'' (being replaced by [[Gypsy Rose Lee]] later in the run) her personal life similarly suffered, and she went through six marriages, some legal, some not. During this time, when Baker returned to the United States, she was allegedly at a dinner party and began to speak in French as well as English with a French accent. An African-American maid was reputed to tell her, ''"Honey, you is full of shit. Speak the way yo' mouth was born."'' She had the woman fired.<ref>{{cite book | last =Haney | first =Lynn | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Naked at the Feast: A Biography of Josephine Baker | publisher =Robson Books | date =1981 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = ASIN: B000KVDYXO  }}</ref>
  
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Yet despite her popularity in France, she never obtained the same reputation at home. Upon a visit to the United States in [[1936]], she starred in a failed version of the ''[[Ziegfeld Follies]]'' (being replaced by [[Gypsy Rose Lee]] later in the run) her personal life similarly suffered, and she went through six marriages, some legal, some not. During this time, when Baker returned to the United States, she was allegedly at a dinner party and began to speak in French as well as English with a French accent. An African-American maid was reputed to tell her, "Honey, you is full of shit. Speak the way yo' mouth was born". She had the woman fired.<ref>{{cite book | last =Haney | first =Lynn | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Naked at the Feast: A Biography of Josephine Baker | publisher =Robson Books | date =1981 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = ASIN: B000KVDYXO  }}</ref>
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In January of 1966 she was invited by [[Fidel Castro]] to perform at the [[Teatro Musical de La Habana]] in [[Havana, Cuba]]. Her spectacular show in April of that year led to record breaking attendance.
  
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In 1973, Josephine Baker opened at Carnegie Hall to a standing ovation. Josephine's last marriage was to American artist Harry Balzanya.
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In 1973, Josephine Baker opened at Carnegie Hall to a standing ovation.
  
 
=== Civil rights involvement ===
 
=== Civil rights involvement ===
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Though based in France, she supported the [[American Civil Rights Movement]] during the 1950s, and protested racism in her own unique way, adopting twelve multi-ethnic orphans, whom she called her "Rainbow Tribe."[http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/919/Josephine_Baker_international_entertainer]  Her adopted children were: Akio ([[Korea]]n son), Janot ([[Japan]]ese son), Luis ([[Colombia]]n son), Jarry ([[Finland|Finnish]] son), Jean-Claude ([[Canada|Canadian]] son), Moise (French son), Brahim ([[Arab]] son), Marianne (French daughter), Koffi ([[Ivory Coast]] son), Mara ([[Venezuela]]n son), Noel (French son), Stellina ([[Morocco|Moroccan]] daughter).[http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/bake-jos.htm][http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001927/bio] Jean-Claude Baker and his brother Jarry run the restaurant 'Chez Josephine' on Theatre Row, [[42nd Street]], [[New York]], that celebrates Josephine's life and works.[http://www.chezjosephine.com/jean-claude.html]
 
  
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She also refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States and worked with the NAACP.[http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm] For some time she lived with all of her children and an enormous staff in a castle, [[Château de Milandes]], in the [[Dordogne]] in France. (Baker had only one child of her own, stillborn in [[1941]], an incident that precipitated an emergency [[hysterectomy]].)
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[[Image:Josephine Baker, 1975.JPG|thumb|right|240px|<center>''La diva magnifique''. Josephine Baker costumed for her last triumph in Paris, 1975. This photo was taken just days before her death.]]
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Though based in France, she supported the [[American Civil Rights Movement]] during the 1950s.  She protested racism in her own unique way, adopting twelve multi-ethnic orphans, whom she called her "Rainbow Tribe." [http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/919/Josephine_Baker_international_entertainer]  Her adopted children were: Akio ([[Korea]]n son), Janot ([[Japan]]ese son), Luis ([[Colombia]]n son), Jarry ([[Finland|Finnish]] son), Jean-Claude ([[Canada|Canadian]] son), Moïse ([[France|French]] Jewish son), Brahim ([[Arab]] son), Marianne (French daughter), Koffi ([[Ivory Coast]] son), Mara ([[Venezuela]]n son), Noël (French son), Stellina ([[Morocco|Moroccan]] daughter).<ref>[http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/bake-jos.htm http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/bake-jos.htm] ''Lkwdpl.org'' Retrieved on 05-10-09 </ref>
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For some time she lived with all of her children and an enormous staff in a castle, [[Château de Milandes]], in the [[Dordogne]] in France. Baker bore only one child herself, stillborn in [[1941]], an incident that precipitated an emergency [[hysterectomy]].
  
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In 1963, she spoke at the [[March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom|March on Washington]] at the side of the [[Martin Luther King, Jr.|Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]] [http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/black-history-profile-5.html] Wearing her Free French uniform with her Legion of Honor decoration, she was the only woman to speak at the rally. [http://www.abbeville.com/civilrights/washington.asp]
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She refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States.<ref>[http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm] ''Qualitative-research.net'' Retrieved on 05-10-07.</ref>  Her insistence on mixed audiences helped to integrate shows in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. Nevertheless she was near bankruptcy until she was given an apartment and financial assistance by her close friend, [[Grace Kelly|Princess Grace]] of [[Monaco]], another expatriate American living in Europe.
  
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As mentioned above on tours of the United States she refused to perform in segregated nightclubs. Her insistence on mixed audiences helped to integrate shows in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. Nevertheless, her career was on a downturn and she was near bankruptcy until she was bailed out and given an apartment by her close friend, [[Grace Kelly|Princess Grace]] of [[Monaco]], another expatriate American living in Europe.
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She also worked with the NAACP.<ref>[http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm] ''Qualitative-research.net'' Retrieved on 05-10-07.</ref> In 1963, she spoke at the [[March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom|March on Washington]] at the side of the [[Martin Luther King, Jr.|Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]]<ref> [http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/black-history-profile-5.html http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/black-history-profile-5.html] ''Nbjcoalition.org'' Retrieved on 05-10-07 </ref> Wearing her Free French uniform with her Legion of Honor decoration, she was the only woman to speak at the rally.<ref>[http://www.abbeville.com/civilrights/washington.asp http://www.abbeville.com/civilrights/washington.asp] ''Abbeville.com'' Retrieved on 05-10-07 </ref> After King's assassination his widow, [[Coretta Scott King]], approached Baker in Holland to ask her if she would take her husband's place as leader of the [[American Civil Rights Movement]]. After many days of thinking it over, Baker declined, stating that her children were ''" ... too young to lose their mother."''<ref>Josephine Baker and Joe Bouillon, ''Josephine''. Harper & Row Publishers, New York, 1977</ref>
  
 
=== Death ===
 
=== Death ===
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On [[April 8]], [[1975]], her fortunes seemed to be turning to the better when she was the star of a retrospective show at [[Bobino|Club Bobino]] in Paris, ''Joséphine'', celebrating her 50 years in the theater. The show opened to rave reviews. She died of a [[cerebral hemorrhage]] less than a week later at the age of 68. She was found lying peacefully in her bed surrounded by newspapers with glowing reviews of her performance.
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[[Image:Funeral of Josephine Baker, 1975.JPG|thumb|right|200px|<center>The funeral of Josephine Baker at [[L'Église de la Madeleine]]. Paris, 1975]]
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On [[April 9]], [[1975]], Baker starred in a retrospective revue at the [[Bobino]] in Paris &mdash; ''Joséphine à Bobino 1975'', celebrating her 50 years in show business. The revue, backed by [[Prince Rainier]] and Princess Grace,<ref name=AABaker/> opened to rave reviews and quickly became the rage of Paris. Demand for seating reached such an extent that fold-out chairs had to added to accommodate spectators. The opening night audience was comprised of Prince Ranier and Princess Grace, [[Sophia Loren]], [[Mick Jagger]], [[Shirley Bassey]], [[Diana Ross]], and [[Liza Minnelli]], among many others.
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On the morning of [[April 10]] Baker was found lying peacefully in her bed surrounded by newspapers with glowing reviews of her performance. She had slipped into a [[coma]]. She was rushed to [[Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital]], where she died at the age of 68 on [[April 12]], 1975.<ref name=AABaker/>
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She became the first American-born woman to receive the highest French military honors, the [[Croix de Guerre]], at her funeral, which was held at [[L'Église de la Madeleine]].<ref name=AABaker/> Paris came to a standstill on the day of her funeral, and 20,000 filled the streets to watch her procession.  She was interred at the ''Cimetière de Monaco''.
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"Place Joséphine Baker" in the [[Montparnasse Quarter]] of Paris was named in her honor.  She has also been inducted into the [[St. Louis Walk of Fame]]. The first ever swimming-pool over the [[Seine river|Seine]] which has been launched for the 2006 edition of [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Plage Paris-Plage], is named [http://www.paris.fr/portail/Sport/Portal.lut?page_id=7002&document_type_id=5&document_id=21212&portlet_id=16092 "Piscine Joséphine Baker"] after her.
  
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She became the first American-born woman to receive French military honors at her funeral, which was held at L'[[Église de la Madeleine]]. Paris came to a standstill on the day of her funeral, and 20,000 filled the streets to watch her procession. She was interred at the Cimetière de Monaco.
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In 2006, the director of the [[Opéra-Comique]] of Paris, [[Jérôme Savary]], presented his ''À la Recherche de Joséphine'' (''Searching for Josephine''), a musical inspired by Baker's musical revues and songs from her early career. It tells the story of a French director in search of a star for his Parisian show in  [[New Orleans]] after [[Hurricane Katrina]]. He finds Joséphine Baker, who becomes the toast of Paris. It was hugely successful and has even toured in Louisiana.
  
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"Place Josephine Baker" in the [[Montparnasse Quarter]] of Paris was named in her honor. She has also been inducted into the [[St. Louis Walk of Fame]].
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== Video ==
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*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=4aUjrxQehcM Joséphine Baker performing ''Avec'' in 1966]
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*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=qC01OpmVBi4 Joséphine Baker performing ''J'ai deux amours'', circa 1925]
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*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=2AQYCSIns5g Joséphine Baker performing ''Haiti'' from the film ''Zou-Zou'']
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*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=b2tYfOOZmaA Joséphine Baker performing ''Le vai en rose'' and ''J'ai deux amours'' at La Bussola, Italy. 1971]
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*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=UyGwykzcizo Joséphine Baker performing ''Dans mon village''. Circa 1968]
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
Line 50: Line 103:
 
*"You've got to fight every single day. When I see a roach, I step on it."
 
*"You've got to fight every single day. When I see a roach, I step on it."
 
*"We can make all our dreams come true, but first we have to decide to awaken from them."
 
*"We can make all our dreams come true, but first we have to decide to awaken from them."
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== Gallery ==
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<center><gallery>
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Image:The-Original-Charleston,-.jpg|<center>The likeness of the legendary Josephine Baker on a music sheet cover for the original Charleston, 1923
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</gallery>
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</center>
  
 
==Pop culture==
 
==Pop culture==
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[[Image:Beyoncebanana.jpg|thumb|Beyoncé Knowles performing [[Deja Vu]], on Fashion Rocks wearing a banana dress, a tribute to Baker.]]
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* In the French film ''[[Les Uns et les Autres]]'', an African-American vaudeville performer appears who is clearly based on Josephine Baker.
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* Her sons Jean-Claude Baker and his brother Jarry grew up to go into business together, running the restaurant 'Chez Josephine' on Theatre Row, [[42nd Street]], [[New York]], which celebrates Josephine's life and works.<ref>[http://www.chezjosephine.com/jean-claude.html http://www.chezjosephine.com/jean-claude.html] ''Chezjosephine.com'' Retrieved on 05-10-07 </ref>
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*The 2004 erotic novel, ''Scandalous'' by British author Angela Campion uses Josephine Baker as its heroine and is inspired by Baker's sexual exploits and later adventures in the French Resistance.  In the novel, Josephine, working with a fictional black Canadian lover named Drummer Thompson, foils a plot by French fascists in 1936 Paris.  The novel is said to be the first time an historical figure has been used as the heroine in a modern erotica novel.
 
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*“Josephine Baker ranked in at #8 on "Wayne's Top Ten Babes of All Time" in a [[Wayne's World]] skit on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'':''"See, Josephine Baker was a babe from the 20's, while though she was a victim of the prevailing racial mores of her native United States, became the toast of Paris known primarily for her exotic banana dance, ok." - Wayne "It's so obvious!"'' - Garth
 
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* The animated film ''[[Les Triplettes de Belleville|The Triplets of Belleville]]'' featured a half-nude caricature of Baker. Director [[Sylvain Chomet]] states in one of the commentary segments that this scene was the reason the film got a [[MPAA film rating system|PG-13]] rating in America.
 
−
*There is a track on [[Al Stewart]]'s album ''[[Last Days of the Century]]'', "Born too Late to see Josephine Baker". It describes the narrator watching an old documentary on television and fantasizing about "Josephine Baker/dancing in a Paris [[cabaret]]"
 
 
* The English pop group [[Sailor]] in their debut 1974 album of the same name included a track called "Josephine Baker."  It describes the passion of a man in Paris who repeatedly visit Les Folies Bergere to see Josephine performing.
 
* The English pop group [[Sailor]] in their debut 1974 album of the same name included a track called "Josephine Baker."  It describes the passion of a man in Paris who repeatedly visit Les Folies Bergere to see Josephine performing.
−
*Pop/R&B singer [[Beyoncé Knowles]] performed her number one hit, [[Deja Vu]], on the Fashion Rocks television show wearing a banana dress.  Knowles has said [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBD7PPjmR68 the performance] was a tribute to Josephine Baker.
+
* In the 1981 French film ''[[Les Uns et les Autres]]'', an African-American vaudeville performer is based on Josephine Baker.
−
*In 1995 the band Fossil released an album containing a song titled "Josaphine Baker" about a man living in the 1990s who is in love with the late Josephine Baker.
+
*There is a track on [[Al Stewart]]'s 1988 album ''[[Last Days of the Century]]'', "Born too Late to see Josephine Baker." It describes the narrator watching an old documentary on television and fantasizing about "Josephine Baker dancing in a Paris [[cabaret]]."
−
*In the animated movie ''[[Anastasia (1997 film)|Anastasia]]'', when the characters visit Paris there is a woman wearing a banana skirt (with a bodysuit underneath for the American audience) walking her pet cheetah that is clearly representative of Josephine Baker.
+
[[Image:Bakerl.jpg|thumb|right|230px|<center>Playbill from the National Theatre in Washington D.C. of Baker's show ''The Fabulous Joséphine Baker'', 1966.]]
−
*In rapper sir-mix-a-lot's video baby got back, there is a dancer wearing the banana skirt.
+
*“Josephine Baker ranked in at #8 on "Wayne's Top Ten Babes of All Time" in one of the early 1990s  [[Wayne's World]] skits on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'':''"See, Josephine Baker was a babe from the 20's, while though she was a victim of the prevailing racial mores of her native United States, became the toast of Paris known primarily for her exotic banana dance, ok." - Wayne "It's so obvious!"'' - Garth
−
*Diana Ross, a long time admirer of Baker also performed and tributed Baker wearing the famous banana skirt.
+
*In 1991, Baker's life story, "The Josephine Baker Story", was broadcast on HBO.  Actress [[Lynn Whitfield]] portrayed Baker. Whitfield, who triumphed over 500 other actresses (including [[Whitney Houston]]) for the coveted role, went on to win the Emmy for "Best Actress In A Mini-Series or Special".
 +
*[[Diana Ross]], a long-time admirer of Baker, performed in [[Bob Mackie]]-designed outfits similar to Baker's and reenacted similar poses of the latter in many photo sessions. This was all in hopes of landing the lead in the 1991 biography.
 +
*In [[Sir-Mix-A-Lot]]'s 1991 video for "[[Baby Got Back]]", there is a dancer wearing a familiar banana skirt.
 +
*In 1995 the band Fossil released an album containing a song titled "Josephine Baker" about a man living in the 1990s who is in love with Baker.
 +
*In the animated movie ''[[Anastasia (1997 film)|Anastasia]]'', when the characters visit 1927 Paris during a production number, a caricature of Baker is seen walking her pet cheetah near the Folies Bergere. Other caricatures of famous folk include [[Maurice Chevalier]], [[Sigmund Freud]], and [[Charles Lindbergh]].
 +
* The animated 2003 film ''[[Les Triplettes de Belleville|The Triplets of Belleville]]'' featured a half-nude caricature of Baker. Director [[Sylvain Chomet]] states in one of the commentary segments that this scene was the reason the film got a [[MPAA film rating system|PG-13]] rating in America.
 +
*The 2004 erotic novel ''Scandalous'' by British author Angela Campion uses Josephine Baker as its heroine and is inspired by Baker's sexual exploits and later adventures in the French Resistance.  In the novel, Josephine, working with a fictional black Canadian lover named Drummer Thompson, foils a plot by French fascists in 1936 Paris.  The novel is said to be the first time an historical figure has been used as the heroine in a modern erotica novel.
 +
*[[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]] performed her hit song, "[[Déjà Vu]]", for CBS's 2006 ''Fashion Rocks'' concert wearing a skirt of artificial bananas as a tribute to Baker. The performance included images of a young Baker projected from a large screen above the stage.
  
 
==Filmography==
 
==Filmography==
Line 84: Line 147:
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
{{commons|Josephine Baker}}
 
 
*[http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/ The Official Site of Josephine Baker]
 
*[http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/ The Official Site of Josephine Baker]
 +
*[http://www.alarecherchedejosephine.com/ ''A la recherche de Joséphine'' official site]
 
*[http://silent-movies.com/Ladies/PBaker.html A Josephine Baker photo gallery]
 
*[http://silent-movies.com/Ladies/PBaker.html A Josephine Baker photo gallery]
 +
*{{Whmc stl photodb|keywords=Josephine+Baker|title=Josephine Baker}}
 
*{{ibdb name|id=30698|name=Josephine Baker}}
 
*{{ibdb name|id=30698|name=Josephine Baker}}
 
*{{imdb name|id=0001927|name=Josephine Baker}}
 
*{{imdb name|id=0001927|name=Josephine Baker}}
 
*[http://sonybmgmasterworks.com/artists/josephinebaker/ Discography at SonyBMG Masterworks]
 
*[http://sonybmgmasterworks.com/artists/josephinebaker/ Discography at SonyBMG Masterworks]
 +
*[http://film.virtual-history.com/person.php?personid=1485 Photographs of Josephine Baker]
 +
  
 
[[Category:American dancers|Baker, Josephine]]
 
[[Category:American dancers|Baker, Josephine]]

Revision as of 02:10, 20 August 2007


File:Circa 1925.jpg
Josephine Baker, c. 1920
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker costumed for Paris mes amours, 1959.
Josephine Baker costumed for Paris mes amours, 1959.
Background information
Birth name Josephine Baker
Born June 3, 1906
Origin St. Louis, Missouri
Died April 12, 1975
Genre(s) Cabaret
Occupation(s) Singer
Dancer

Josephine Baker (or Joséphine Baker in francophone countries) (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975)[1] was an American-born French entertainer, most noted for her singing career, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer (she is often credited as a movie star, although she only starred in 3 films in her early career). She was given the nicknames "Black Venus" or "Black Pearl" and "Créole Goddess", while in France she was known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker". She became a citizen of France in 1937. She is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in North America, and for being an inspiration to generations of African-American female entertainers. Josephine Baker adopted 12 orphans of different ethnicities and nationalities [2] [3]

Biography

Early life

Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Carrie McDonald. Her father's identity is debated. Her father is identified as vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson by the official biography of her estate[4], but according to Jean-Claude Baker's prolific and well-researched biography:

“ ... (Josephine Baker's) father was identified (on the birth certificate) simply as "Edw" ... I think Josephine's father was white—so did Josephine, so did her family—and I think (the father) cared about Carrie ... and people in St. Louis say that Carrie had worked for a German family (around the time she became pregnant). (Carrie) let people think Eddie Carson was the father, and Carson played along ... (but) Josephine knew better.[5] ”
File:Baker Banana 2.jpg
Joséphine Baker pictured in her most famous costume for the Danse sauvage.

Josephine Baker's true ethnic background is unknown. Her mother Carrie was adopted in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1886 by Richard and Elvira McDonald, both of whom were former slaves of both African and Native American descent,[6]

She started her career as a street performer, dancing in the street as a child. She entered vaudeville joining the St. Louis Chorus at 15. She then headed to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, performing at the Plantation Club and in the chorus of the popular Broadway revues Shuffle Along (1921) and The Chocolate Dandies (1924). She performed as the last dancer in a chorus line, a position in which the dancer traditionally performed in a comic manner, as if they were unable to remember the dance, until the encore, at which point they would not only perform it correctly, but with additional complexity. She was then billed as "the highest-paid chorus girl in vaudeville."

On October 2, 1925, she opened in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, where she became an instant success for her erotic dancing and for appearing practically nude on stage. After a successful tour of Europe, she reneged on her contract and returned to France to star at the Folies Bergère, setting the standard for her future acts. She performed the Danse sauvage, wearing a costume consisting of a skirt made of a string of artificial bananas.

In later shows in Paris she was often accompanied on stage by her pet cheetah Chiquita, who was adorned with a diamond collar. The cheetah frequently escaped into the orchestra pit, where it terrorized the musicians, adding yet another element of excitement to the show.

Rise to Fame

After a short while she was the most successful American entertainer working in France — whereas in the U.S., she would have suffered from the racial prejudices common to the era. Ernest Hemingway called her " ... the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." In addition to being a musical star, Baker also starred in three films which only found success in Europe: the silent film Siren of the Tropics (1927), Zouzou (1934) and Princesse Tamtam (1935). Although Josephine Baker is often credited as a movie star, her starring roles ended with Princesse Tamtam in 1935.

File:Josephine Baker - Bobino Carnaval.JPG
Josephine Baker in the scene Carnaval from her final Parisian revue, Joséphine à Bobino, 1975. Baker was much celebrated for her elaborate Folies Bergère inspired head-dresses and costumes.

At this time she also scored her greatest song hit, "J'ai deux amours" (1931) and became a muse for contemporary authors, painters, designers, and sculptors including Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, and Christian Dior.

Under the management of Giuseppe Pepito Abatino — a Sicilian stonemason who passed himself off successfully as a Sicilian count, Baker's stage and public persona, as well as her singing voice, went through an extraordinary transformation. In 1934 she took the lead in a revival of Jacques Offenbach's 1875 opera La créole at the Théâtre Marigny in the Champs-Élysées of Paris, which premiered in December of that year for a six month run. In preparation for the her performances she went through months of training with a vocal coach.

In the words of Shirley Bassey, who has cited Baker as her primary influence, " ... she went from a 'petite danseuse sauvage' with a decent voice to 'la grande diva magnifique' ... I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."

She was so well known and popular with the French people that even the Nazis, who occupied France during World War II, were hesitant to cause her harm. In turn, this allowed Baker to show her loyalty to her adopted country by participating in the Underground, when she smuggled intelligence to the resistance in Spain coded within her sheet music. After the war, for her underground activity, Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d'Honneur by General Charles de Gaulle, and also the Rosette of the Résistance.[7]

Yet despite her popularity in France, she never obtained the same reputation at home. Upon a visit to the United States in 1936, she starred in a failed version of the Ziegfeld Follies (being replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee later in the run) her personal life similarly suffered, and she went through six marriages, some legal, some not. During this time, when Baker returned to the United States, she was allegedly at a dinner party and began to speak in French as well as English with a French accent. An African-American maid was reputed to tell her, "Honey, you is full of shit. Speak the way yo' mouth was born." She had the woman fired.[8]

In January of 1966 she was invited by Fidel Castro to perform at the Teatro Musical de La Habana in Havana, Cuba. Her spectacular show in April of that year led to record breaking attendance.

In 1973, Josephine Baker opened at Carnegie Hall to a standing ovation.

Civil rights involvement

File:Josephine Baker, 1975.JPG
La diva magnifique. Josephine Baker costumed for her last triumph in Paris, 1975. This photo was taken just days before her death.

Though based in France, she supported the American Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s. She protested racism in her own unique way, adopting twelve multi-ethnic orphans, whom she called her "Rainbow Tribe." [1] Her adopted children were: Akio (Korean son), Janot (Japanese son), Luis (Colombian son), Jarry (Finnish son), Jean-Claude (Canadian son), Moïse (French Jewish son), Brahim (Arab son), Marianne (French daughter), Koffi (Ivory Coast son), Mara (Venezuelan son), Noël (French son), Stellina (Moroccan daughter).[9]

For some time she lived with all of her children and an enormous staff in a castle, Château de Milandes, in the Dordogne in France. Baker bore only one child herself, stillborn in 1941, an incident that precipitated an emergency hysterectomy.

She refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States.[10] Her insistence on mixed audiences helped to integrate shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevertheless she was near bankruptcy until she was given an apartment and financial assistance by her close friend, Princess Grace of Monaco, another expatriate American living in Europe.

She also worked with the NAACP.[11] In 1963, she spoke at the March on Washington at the side of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[12] Wearing her Free French uniform with her Legion of Honor decoration, she was the only woman to speak at the rally.[13] After King's assassination his widow, Coretta Scott King, approached Baker in Holland to ask her if she would take her husband's place as leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. After many days of thinking it over, Baker declined, stating that her children were " ... too young to lose their mother."[14]

Death

File:Funeral of Josephine Baker, 1975.JPG
The funeral of Josephine Baker at L'Église de la Madeleine. Paris, 1975

On April 9, 1975, Baker starred in a retrospective revue at the Bobino in Paris — Joséphine à Bobino 1975, celebrating her 50 years in show business. The revue, backed by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace,[7] opened to rave reviews and quickly became the rage of Paris. Demand for seating reached such an extent that fold-out chairs had to added to accommodate spectators. The opening night audience was comprised of Prince Ranier and Princess Grace, Sophia Loren, Mick Jagger, Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, and Liza Minnelli, among many others.

On the morning of April 10 Baker was found lying peacefully in her bed surrounded by newspapers with glowing reviews of her performance. She had slipped into a coma. She was rushed to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where she died at the age of 68 on April 12, 1975.[7]

She became the first American-born woman to receive the highest French military honors, the Croix de Guerre, at her funeral, which was held at L'Église de la Madeleine.[7] Paris came to a standstill on the day of her funeral, and 20,000 filled the streets to watch her procession. She was interred at the Cimetière de Monaco.

"Place Joséphine Baker" in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris was named in her honor. She has also been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. The first ever swimming-pool over the Seine which has been launched for the 2006 edition of Paris-Plage, is named "Piscine Joséphine Baker" after her.

In 2006, the director of the Opéra-Comique of Paris, Jérôme Savary, presented his À la Recherche de Joséphine (Searching for Josephine), a musical inspired by Baker's musical revues and songs from her early career. It tells the story of a French director in search of a star for his Parisian show in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He finds Joséphine Baker, who becomes the toast of Paris. It was hugely successful and has even toured in Louisiana.

Video

Quotes

  • "I have two loves: my country and Paris."
  • "Since I personified the savage on the stage, I tried to be as civilized as possible in my daily life."
  • "You've got to fight every single day. When I see a roach, I step on it."
  • "We can make all our dreams come true, but first we have to decide to awaken from them."

Gallery

  • The-Original-Charleston,-.jpg
    The likeness of the legendary Josephine Baker on a music sheet cover for the original Charleston, 1923

Pop culture

  • Her sons Jean-Claude Baker and his brother Jarry grew up to go into business together, running the restaurant 'Chez Josephine' on Theatre Row, 42nd Street, New York, which celebrates Josephine's life and works.[15]
  • The English pop group Sailor in their debut 1974 album of the same name included a track called "Josephine Baker." It describes the passion of a man in Paris who repeatedly visit Les Folies Bergere to see Josephine performing.
  • In the 1981 French film Les Uns et les Autres, an African-American vaudeville performer is based on Josephine Baker.
  • There is a track on Al Stewart's 1988 album Last Days of the Century, "Born too Late to see Josephine Baker." It describes the narrator watching an old documentary on television and fantasizing about "Josephine Baker dancing in a Paris cabaret."
File:Bakerl.jpg
Playbill from the National Theatre in Washington D.C. of Baker's show The Fabulous Joséphine Baker, 1966.
  • “Josephine Baker ranked in at #8 on "Wayne's Top Ten Babes of All Time" in one of the early 1990s Wayne's World skits on Saturday Night Live:"See, Josephine Baker was a babe from the 20's, while though she was a victim of the prevailing racial mores of her native United States, became the toast of Paris known primarily for her exotic banana dance, ok." - Wayne "It's so obvious!" - Garth
  • In 1991, Baker's life story, "The Josephine Baker Story", was broadcast on HBO. Actress Lynn Whitfield portrayed Baker. Whitfield, who triumphed over 500 other actresses (including Whitney Houston) for the coveted role, went on to win the Emmy for "Best Actress In A Mini-Series or Special".
  • Diana Ross, a long-time admirer of Baker, performed in Bob Mackie-designed outfits similar to Baker's and reenacted similar poses of the latter in many photo sessions. This was all in hopes of landing the lead in the 1991 biography.
  • In Sir-Mix-A-Lot's 1991 video for "Baby Got Back", there is a dancer wearing a familiar banana skirt.
  • In 1995 the band Fossil released an album containing a song titled "Josephine Baker" about a man living in the 1990s who is in love with Baker.
  • In the animated movie Anastasia, when the characters visit 1927 Paris during a production number, a caricature of Baker is seen walking her pet cheetah near the Folies Bergere. Other caricatures of famous folk include Maurice Chevalier, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Lindbergh.
  • The animated 2003 film The Triplets of Belleville featured a half-nude caricature of Baker. Director Sylvain Chomet states in one of the commentary segments that this scene was the reason the film got a PG-13 rating in America.
  • The 2004 erotic novel Scandalous by British author Angela Campion uses Josephine Baker as its heroine and is inspired by Baker's sexual exploits and later adventures in the French Resistance. In the novel, Josephine, working with a fictional black Canadian lover named Drummer Thompson, foils a plot by French fascists in 1936 Paris. The novel is said to be the first time an historical figure has been used as the heroine in a modern erotica novel.
  • Beyoncé performed her hit song, "Déjà Vu", for CBS's 2006 Fashion Rocks concert wearing a skirt of artificial bananas as a tribute to Baker. The performance included images of a young Baker projected from a large screen above the stage.

Filmography

Notes

  1. ↑ Biography. official site of Josephine Baker. © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc.. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  2. ↑ Whitaker, Charles (June 1991). The real-life Josephine Baker: what the movie didn't tell you.. LookSmart. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  3. ↑ King, Kwa. Josephine Baker. Musicians of the Harlem Reniassance. The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  4. ↑ Biography. official site of Josephine Baker. © Josephine Baker Estate c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc.. Retrieved 2006-09-11.
  5. ↑ Jean-Claude Baker & Chris Chase, Josephine: The Hungry Heart. Random House, New York, 1993
  6. ↑ Jean-Claude Baker & Chris Chase, Josephine: The Hungry Heart. Random House, New York, 1993
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Josephine Baker - Biographical Essay" (bio), webpage: AA-JBaker.
  8. ↑ Haney, Lynn (1981). Naked at the Feast: A Biography of Josephine Baker. Robson Books. ASIN: B000KVDYXO. 
  9. ↑ http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/bake-jos.htm Lkwdpl.org Retrieved on 05-10-09
  10. ↑ http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm Qualitative-research.net Retrieved on 05-10-07.
  11. ↑ http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-02/3-02bostock-e.htm Qualitative-research.net Retrieved on 05-10-07.
  12. ↑ http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/black-history-profile-5.html Nbjcoalition.org Retrieved on 05-10-07
  13. ↑ http://www.abbeville.com/civilrights/washington.asp Abbeville.com Retrieved on 05-10-07
  14. ↑ Josephine Baker and Joe Bouillon, Josephine. Harper & Row Publishers, New York, 1977
  15. ↑ http://www.chezjosephine.com/jean-claude.html Chezjosephine.com Retrieved on 05-10-07

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Kraut, Anthea, Between Primitivism and Diaspora: The Dance Performances of Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston, and Katherine Dunham, Theatre Journal 55 (2003): 433–50.

External links

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