( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Pays Homage To African American Musicians Who Created Blues, Jazz, Ragtime & Swing
ENSPIRE Contributor: Anastasia Hanna
Multi-Grammy nominated duo Louis York (Chuck Harmony & Claude Kelly) is kicking off Black History Month with the release of the highly anticipated single “Theme From Black Bottom Saints.” The release of the powerful and mesmerizing theme song also coincides with the New York Times bestselling author Alice Randall’s Black Bottom Saints book tour, starting in Detroit.
This ditty highlights the legacy of global icons and local idols of the Black Bottom neighborhood in Detroit. Birthed by African-Americans, ”Theme From Black Bottom Saints” pays homage to the 1920s music era that produced Jazz, the Blues, Ragtime and Swing and produced legends like Bessie Smith, Count Bassie, Nat King Cole, Ruth Brown, and other notables. With the recent release of Netflix’s release of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and similar broadcast specials, the welcomed resurgence of such a cherished culture proves “Theme From Black Bottom Saints” contributes to a much-deserved conversation on African-American culture and the world. Spotify has released a “Black Bottom Playlist” that features some of these big names to join in the celebration.
“The phrase ‘Black Bottom’ is more than just a name of a song,” states Louis York. “This was an era where Black people owned property, were marquee entertainers, sports figures, doctors, lawyers, and supported each other. It represents a culture, a way of life that exemplifies Black excellence at its finest.”
Originally released in December 2020, Randall’s Black Bottom Saints is an enthralling literary tour de force that pays tribute to Detroit’s legendary neighborhood, a mecca for jazz, sports, and politics. Black Bottom Saints is a powerful blend of fact and imagination reminiscent of E.L. Doctorow’s classic novel Ragtime and Marlon James’ Man Booker Award-winning masterpiece, A Brief History of Seven Killings. The book has been named New York Times Best Historical Fiction of 2020, PBS Newshour Best Book of 2020 Pick, NPR Best Books of 2020, Michigan Notable Books 2021, and WSJ+ Book Club pick for December.
You can follow Louis York on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To listen to or download “Theme From Black Bottom Saints,” click here.
