The Franklin D. Roosevelt
Presidential Library and Museum
-- and a consortium of
Dutchess County organizations --
will commemorate the
70th anniversary year
of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
with a
musical performance by
singer-songwriter Josh White, Jr.
Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
Henry A. Wallace Center at the
FDR Presidential Library and Home
HYDE PARK, NY -- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum -- and a consortium of Dutchess County organizations -- will commemorate the 70th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a musical performance by singer-songwriter
Josh White, Jr. on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. White's performance will include a selection of Roosevelt-era protest songs written by his father, singer-songwriter and social activist Josh White, as well as music from his own repertoire of inspirational songs and songs of social consciousness. The program will be held in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home.
Registration is required for this free public program.
Josh White, Jr. became a child star in the 1940s performing in concert, radio and on recordings with his legendary father, Josh White, who first pioneered African-American blues, folk, spirituals and songs of social conscience to white audiences in America and then around the world. In 1940, Josh White's recordings of social protest were brought to the attention of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
During the Roosevelt presidency, as Josh White and the Roosevelts forged a close friendship, he gave five White House command performances, in addition to many performances at their Hyde Park, New York home. He not only was the first African-American man to have a million selling record, but also the first to give a White House command performance and the first artist to sing songs of social protest in the White House. Josh Jr. performed many times at the Hyde Park residence with his father, while interacting with the Roosevelt family. Eleanor Roosevelt publicly referred to Josh Jr. as her Godson, and upon the passing of the President, she hired his uncle, William White, as her personal assistant at her Hyde Park, New York home.
As a young actor, Josh Jr. starred in 5 Broadway plays and 50 television dramas, and was honored with a TONY Award. He began his solo recording career in 1945, and has since recorded 25 albums, toured the world's greatest concert stages, and starred in four TV concert specials. Josh Jr. has performed for presidents, prime ministers, the Pope, and for the poorest of the poor on four continents. In 1980, he was named the Voice of the Peace Corps and VISTA. In 1982, he performed and spoke at the Centennial Salute to Franklin Roosevelt at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. In 1983, he starred in the musical drama based on his father's life, JOSH: THE MAN & HIS MUSIC.
As the son of Josh White, Josh Jr. is a living link to 20th Century African-American history, its roots music, and the responsibility of being an artist-activist.
Please contact Cliff Laube at (845) 486-7745 with questions about the event.
