Symphony In Black - A Rhapsody of Negro Life (1935) | Duke Ellington & Billie Holiday

In September of 1935 Paramount Pictures released a nine-minute movie remarkable in several ways. Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life is one of the earliest cinematic explorations of African-American culture for a mass audience. It features Duke Ellington and his orchestra performing his first extended composition. And perhaps most notably, it stars Billie Holiday in her first filmed performance.

#####

[wellina]

Ashley brought me here, and I appreciate it

[aliccianeal]

Ashley says so sent me here, so here I am.

[sethunyanikuru]

Ashley brought me here, but I've seen this movie before but I never paid attention to that fall🤭🤣🤣🤣

[dr.tanyadove]

How many here because of Ashley? Glad to know about this!👏🏽🥳

[DejaLanae]

Ashley sent me here to watch Billie fall awkwardly lol

[theapex]

That fall was epic and Ashley Said So! 🤣🤣🤣

[MyYoutube]

Omg now why would she fall like dat 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩 ASHLEY MY FACE IS LIKE URS

[eaglewineaglewin]

Ashley sent me here to see Billie Holiday bounce🤣🤣

[AuntyM]

Ashley brought me here. Boy Billy took a fall.

[mellotones]

5:32 Those harmonies under Billie Holiday's vocals!

[laquetaworley]

Yeah and I love Ashley's accent !!!!

[janetpitts]

Ashley sent me here, thanks Ashley and reelblack!!

[aliciag]

Ashley sent me too 😂, the bounce though 😳

[leonholt]

I wasn't born 'till '67. Billie Holiday STILL MOVES Me.

[Chutneyluv]

Ashley, asked us to check this out! Billie, was knocked down to the floor! She sung about her man walking out on her, from the floor! 🎶🙄🎶

[alexandram]

Ashley bought me here. I am crying laughing

[growitheflow]

This is actually an absolute masterpiece

[HTowngirl]

Ashley brought me with the billy holiday story 👍🏾

[ahmad.tillery.]

One of the best soundies I've seen so far.

[pricillaboykin]

Thanks, Ashley. LOL, but I would NOT wanna fall like that. There's no love in that fall. but I still like another one of Billie Holiday's songs "Strange Fruit."