Early years
Al Jolson was born as Asa Yoelson in Seredžius , Lithuania , (Yiddish : סרעדניק, Srednik) then in the Kovno Governorate of the Russian Empire , the fourth child of Moses Reuben Yoelson and his wife Naomi. His siblings were Rose, Etta, Hirsch (Harry), and a sister who died in infancy. Moses Yoelson moved to the United States in 1891, and was able to find a job as a rabbi and cantor at the Talmud Torah Synagogue in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Three years later, his family would join him.
Hard times hit the family when his mother, Naomi, died in late 1894. Following his mother's death, young Asa was in a state of withdrawal for seven months . Upon being introduced to show business in 1895 by entertainer Al Reeves, Asa and Hirsch became fascinated by the industry, and by 1897, the brothers were singing for coins on local street corners, using the names "Al" and "Harry". They would usually use the money to buy tickets to shows at the National Theater . Asa and Hirsch spent most of their days working different jobs as a team. :23-40
Stage performer
Burlesque and vaudeville
In the spring of 1902, he accepted a job with Walter L. Maim's Circus. Although he had been hired as an usher, Maim was impressed by Jolson's singing voice and gave him a position as a singer during the circus' Indian Medicine Side Show segment. :49-50
By the end of the year, however, the circus had folded, and Jolson was again out of work. In May 1903, the head producer of the burlesque show, Dainty Duchess Burlesquers, agreed to give Jolson a part in one show. Asa gave a remarkable performance of "Be My Baby Bumble Bee", and the producer agreed to keep him for future shows. Unfortunately, the show closed by the end of the year. Asa was able to avoid financial troubles by forming a vaudeville partnership with his brother Hirsch, now a vaudeville performer who was known as Harry Yoelson. The brothers worked for the William Morris Agency . :50-60
Asa and Harry also eventually were teamed with Joe Palmer. During their time with Palmer, they were able to get bookings in a nationwide tour. However, live performances were fading in popularity, as nickelodeon theaters captured audiences; by 1908, nickelodeon theaters were completely dominant throughout New York City as well. While performing in a Brooklyn theater in 1904, Al decided on a new approach and began wearing blackface makeup. The conversion to blackface boosted his career and he began wearing blackface in all of his shows. :61-80
In the fall of 1905, Harry left the trio, following a harsh argument with Al. Harry had refused Al's request to take care of Joe Palmer — who was in a wheelchair — while he went out on a date. After Harry's departure, Al and Joe Palmer worked as a duo, but were not very successful together. By 1906, the two agreed to separate, and Jolson was on his own. :68-70
Al became a regular at the Globe and Wigwam Theater in San Francisco , California , and remained successful nationwide as a vaudeville singer He took up residence in San Francisco, saying the earthquake -devastated area needed someone to cheer them up. In 1908, Jolson — needing money for himself and his new wife Henrietta — returned to New York. In 1909, Al's singing caught the attention of Lew Dockstader , who was the producer and star of Dockstader's Minstrels. Al accepted Dockstader's offer, and became a regular blackface performer. :70-81
Broadway playhouses
Winter Garden Theater
According to Esquire magazine, "J. J. Shubert , impressed by Jolson's overpowering display of energy, booked him for La Belle Paree, a musical comedy which opened at the Winter Garden in 1911. Within a month Jolson was a star. From then until 1926, when he retired from the stage, he could boast an unbroken series of smash hits."
| | [[:Image:|That Haunting Melody [[Image:|220px|noicon|alt= Jolson's first hit (Recorded 22 December 1911) |
| Problems listening to this file? See media help . | |
On March 20, 1911, Jolson starred in his first play at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City, La Belle Paree, which also greatly helped launch his career as a singer. The opening night drew a huge crowd to the theater, and that evening Jolson gained audience popularity by singing old Stephen Foster songs in blackface. In the wake of that phenomenal opening night, Jolson was given a position in the show's cast. The show closed after 104 performances, and during its run Jolson's popularity grew greatly. Following La Belle Paree, Jolson accepted an offer to perform in the play Vera Violetta. The show opened on November 20, 1911, and, like La Belle Paree, was a phenomenal success. In the show, Jolson again portrayed the role of a blackface singer, and managed to become so popular, that his weekly salary- which he earned from his success in La Belle Paree- of $500 was increased to $750. :98-117
After Vera Viole
al jolson united states online news
Al Jolson, Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer". Read the rest
al jolson on crosby chesterfield show 15 feb 50
Al Jolson's experience with radio began in the dawn of the medium, and continued until the birth of television, and his death. He started the Kraft Music Hall, along with programs Read the rest
al jolson society official website
International Al Jolson Society Official Home Page, with text, pictures, audio, and video of the World's Greatest Entertainer. You ain't heard nothin' yet! Read the rest
al jolson the quot;jazz singerquot;
A complete biography of Al Jolson nee Asa Yoelson (1886 - 1950). Read the rest
al jolson imdb
Al Jolson, Soundtrack: The Aviator. Al Jolson was known in the industry as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," for well over 40 years. After his death his influence continued Read the rest
al jolson biography from answers com
Al Jolson (born May 26, 1886, Srednike, Russia — died Oct. 23, 1950, San Francisco, Calif., U.S.) Russian-born U.S Read the rest
broadway the american musical stars over broadway al jolson pbs
Born: 1886 Died: 1950 Al Jolson lived "The American Dream." Born in Lithuania, Jolson rose through the ranks of vaudeville as a comedian and a blackface "Mammy" singer. Read the rest
al jolson wikipedia the free encyclopedia
Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer". He was born in Russia Read the rest
al jolson biography part i
Jolson 101 Al Jolson: A Biography by John Kenrick (Copyright 2003) Beginnings; Blackface; First Marriage; Broadway Debut (All the photos on this page are Read the rest
collected works of al jolson al jolson free download
Audio Files: 128Kbps MP3: Avalon (1920) 2.8 MB Chloe (1919) 2.8 MB Hello Central, Give Me No Man's Land (World War I Song) (1918) Read the rest