Classic Performance Highlights

Vintage musical performances capture live singing, dancing, and expressive acts from various historical contexts, depicting joyful and rhythmic movements.

Entertainers at Negro tavern. Chicago, Illinois. Lee Russell photograph, 1941
Entertainers at Negro tavern. Chicago, Illinois. Lee Russell photograph, 1941
134 assets in this story
4409-20817811
HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE (2003), directed by RON SHELTON. Copyright: Editorial use only. No merchandising or book covers. This is a publicly distributed handout. Access rights only, no license of copyright provided. Only to be reproduced in conjunction with promotion of this film.
6145-55962304
Jackie Robinson and Louise Beavers in a scene from the motion picture The Jackie Robinson Story. 1950. Film stills, Photographs. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division. Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972, Beavers, Louise, 1902-1962
4409-20843504
RICCO ROSS in BODY CONTACT (1987), directed by BERNARD ROSE.
990-2405
Chubby Checker
4409-21008676
NAT KING COLE and PEARL BAILEY in ST. LOUIS BLUES (1958), directed by ALLEN REISNER.
6145-29705200
Information office and radio broadcaster Dutch New Guinea. Scene from the open-air game "100 years of mission in New Guinea". The whites (played by Papua's) show the wild matches and let fire see. February 1955. New Guinea
4409-20795785
SPIKE LEE in DO THE RIGHT THING (1989), directed by SPIKE LEE.
4409-98266
CANTINFLAS in A VOLAR, JOVEN (1947), directed by MIGUEL M. DELGADO.
1899-55447465
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, also known as Abàmì Èdá, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the King of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers".
6145-29384332
Anefo photo collection. Les Surfs for Dutch television, Les Surfs. 10 June 1964
6145-54286799
Festival de Jazz de Cannes. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel
4409-30761
El trompetista de jazz Bill Coleman en concierto, en la sala Jamboree. Barcelona, principios de los años 60.
1838-76240140
Canada Lee (right), Lionel Ngakane (left), on-set of the film, "Cry, The Beloved Country", United Artists, 1951
4409-17259043
DANIEL KALUUYA and JODIE TURNER-SMITH in QUEEN & SLIM (2019), directed by MELINA MATSOUKAS.
4409-65666528
MUHAMMAD ALI in MUHAMMAD ALI (2021), directed by KEN BURNS and SARAH BURNS.
4409-20861846
OCEAN'S ELEVEN (1960), directed by LEWIS MILESTONE.
4409-2145
El grupo de soul 'The Spinners'.
6145-29393176
Anefo photo collection. Singing group The Supremes in Hilton hotel in press proposed, v.l.n.r. Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. September 30, 1965. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
6145-29437409
Anefo photo collection. Avros "Music Hall". George Holmes (Dancer). April 16, 1963
4409-20782477
DAN AYKROYD, ARETHA FRANKLIN and JOHN BELUSHI in THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980), directed by JOHN LANDIS.
4409-68251112
ADOLFO QUINONES in BREAKDANCE (1984) -Original title: BREAKIN'-, directed by JOEL SILBERG.
4409-20795170
WILLIAM MARSHALL and VONETTA MCGEE in BLACULA (1972), directed by WILLIAM CRAIN.
6177-V53566968
5513-16037032
He is tough, too -- Frank ''Sugar Child'' Robinson, 7-year-old boogie woogie prodigy, of Detroit, relates a tale of his fistic prowess to Maurice Golden, MGM talent scout, in the latter's Chicago office. Golden Signed the little boy for two movies, Sugar Child is the son of Clarence Robinson, a Detroit businessman. The lad is as proud of his scrapping ability as of his pianistic accomplishments. No neighborhood kids can call him ''Sissy'' and get away with it! September 11, 1945. (Photo by Acme).
990-663
The Delfonics Soul singing group
4409-20800165
KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (1977), directed by JOHN "BUD" CARDOS.
4409-20801551
A MURDER OF CROWS (1999), directed by ROWDY HERRINGTON.
4409-20815572
MARLON WAYANS in ABOVE THE RIM (1994), directed by JEFF POLLACK.
4048-1691
American R&B group The Miracles, L-R: Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Smokey Robinson, Ronald White, 1967.
4409-99159
ALFRE WOODARD and DELROY LINDO in CROOKLYN (1994), directed by SPIKE LEE.
6145-52284594
A stem band from Oranjestad, St Eustasius, A / B from Kruiser Hr.Ms. De Ruyter (C 801), October 1955.
4409-17230963
Cover of 'Ella Fitzgerald sings the Cole Porter', studio album of 1956.
4409-20876657
Cover of 'It Might As Well Be Swing', 1964 studio album by Frank Sinatra.
4409-20873105
THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007), directed by DENZEL WASHINGTON.