Josephine Baker

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Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker 1906-75, African-American dancer and singer, b. St. Louis, Mo., as Freda Josephine McDonald. In 1923 and 1924 she appeared in Broadway chorus lines. She became a sensation in Paris in La Revue Nègre (1925), renowned for her jazz singing, dancing, and exotically skimpy costumes. By 1927 she was one of Europe's most famous and highly paid entertainers. Naturalized as a French citizen in 1937, she worked for the Resistance in World War II and was awarded (1961) the Legion of Honor. She died in Paris after 14 triumphant performances of Josephine, celebrating her 50 years as a performer in Paris.

Bibliography: See P. Rose, Jazz Cleopatra (1989); J.-C. Baker and C. Chase, Josephine (1994); B. Jules-Rosette, Josephine Baker in Art and Life (2007).

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Baker, Josephine

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Baker, Josephine (1906–75) US dancer and singer. After a sensational 1925 Paris debut in La Revue Nègre, she became internationally famous for her jazz singing and dancing. Her outrageous art deco costumes and regal stage act made her one of the most photographed stars of the era. She took French citizenship in 1937, and was made a member of the French Legion of Honour for her work in the resistance.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The real-life Josephine Baker: what the movie didn't tell you. Despite vivid performances, no medium has captured the essence of legendary star's life. (recent HBO movie The Josephine Baker Story) Magazine article from: Ebony; 6/1/1991
	Josephine Baker: Image and Icon.(Brief article)(Book review) Magazine article from: ForeWord; 1/1/2007
	Josephine Baker featured on US postage stamp News Wire article from: AP Worldstream; 7/15/2008

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	JOSEPHINE BAKER EXHIBIT Transcript from: ABC Good Morning America; 4/17/1997; ; 700+ words ; ...voice-over) Josephine Baker was never subtle...easily for Josephine Baker, born in poverty...kind of rejection. JOSEPHINE BAKER: (June 1973...Deco lithographs of Baker and the Jazz Age...still loving it. JOSEPHINE BAKER: (singing...
	Josephine Baker charming Paris.(HERSTORY)(Biography) Magazine article from: New Moon; 3/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...were hot. At the age of 19, Josephine Baker had just arrived in Paris from...called La Revue Negre. When Josephine danced the Charleston, Paris...1900s. In St. Louis, where Josephine Baker grew up, not only did blacks...
	Films revive legend of Josephine Baker // Music Box program salutes the French star Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times; 4/23/1989; ; 700+ words ; ...the legend of Josephine Baker remains larger than...as a mother," Baker said during an interview...frequently ask, "Is Josephine cooking tonight...problem that haunted Baker during her early...painful discrimination Josephine would feel in this...
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	JOSEPHINE BAKER: Performer that became the toast of Paris Newspaper article from: Philadelphia Tribune, The; 10/28/2003; 700+ words ; ...she became known for, Josephine Baker was an original that...of color of her day, Josephine Baker didn't have...Nazi era encouraged Baker to join the French Resistance...entertaining in Cuba. Josephine Baker made yet another...