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Explore

  • African American Music
  • Roots
  • Jazz and Blues
  • Achievements and Impact
  • Resistance and Politics
  • Connecting Through Music
  • Paintings of Musicians
  • Photographs
  • Instruments
  • NMAAHC Collections
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African American Music

Photographs of African American Musicians

Smithsonian Music

Photography is a versatile medium that allows both the documentation of history, and the creation of an artistic image. A photographic portrait is a factual witness of the scene it records, but the creation of the scene is in the control of the subject as well as the photographer. The photographs selected here feature African American musicians from a variety of walks of life, ranging from professional musical artists to church choirs, and from legendary musicians of the past to our current popular artists.


  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 64 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Portrait Gallery 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian Archives - History Div 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs 100 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Portraits 30 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Postcards 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Exterior views 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • People 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Sheet music 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Stereographs 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • laser prints 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 86 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1870s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1910s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 33 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 2000s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 59 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 44 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • New York City 23 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Greenville 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Mississippi 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Washington County 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North America 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Tennessee 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Memphis 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Shelby County 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 64 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs and Still Images 64 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Eyejammie Hip-Hop Photography Collection 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Graphic Arts 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Portrait Gallery Collection 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Currently not on view 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Civil Rights Movement 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • The Way of Life of the Northern Negro 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • American Winners: Athletes and Entertainers Who Shaped the Nation 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photography 62 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 45 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entertainers 35 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Portraits 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Hip-hop (Music) 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Rappers (Musicians) 24 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Women 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Men 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Voice 14 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 94 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 22 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro: Untitled

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro: Untitled

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro: Untitled

Prince 17

Photograph of James Brown sitting in a chair, waving with his left hand

Autographed photograph of Eubie Blake playing the piano

Indoor Portrait of "Diamond Teeth" Mary

Aretha Franklin, SCLC convention, Club Paradise, Memphis, TN

Indoor Portrait of Diamond Teeth Mary

Group portrait of a jazz band at high school prom

Photograph of Mary J. Blige at the NY Music Awards after party at China Club

The Two Kings, Elvis Presley with B.B. King at WDIA Goodwill Review, Memphis, TN

James Brown, Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN

Photographic postcard of a woman named Ida Cox

Rose Bowl parade bound Cardoza High School marching band

New Orleans • USA

Performer at the "Masters of Traditional Arts" Smithsonian Folklife Program

Afrika Bambaataa

Miles Davis

Photograph of Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay

Harry Belafonte performing at Constitution Hall, Washington D. C.

John Coltrane

Photograph of Big Boi of Outkast at a Spin magazine photo shoot

Photographic postcard featuring Ray Charles

Beverly Plays the Blues

Nas, Queensborough Bridge 1993

Band at the Savoy Ballroom

Indoor Group Shot of Six Women, Spiritual Fire Singers

Indoor Group Shot of Six Women, Spiritual Fire Singers

Studio Portrait of Little Milton Playing a Guitar

Indoor Group Shot of Six Women, Spiritual Fire Singers

Portrait of Little Milton Playing a Guitar

Photograph of Little Milton Playing a Guitar

Esperanza Spalding

DJ Scott LaRock and KRS-One, United Skates of America, Queens


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