Initial Broadcast Date: May 30, 1972
30 minutes – Color
This program provides a stand for black artistry, which many feel is often denied in America, presenting composer Hank Johnson in a performance of his works.
Johnson is the creator of Black Journal’s theme score as well as other original works for the series; a dance score for Jose Limon entitled, “The Winged”; “Earth Fantasy”; for pianist Armenta Adams; and a number of works for the Society of Black Composers, of which he is a member. He views his music as “expression of me” and feels that his works incorporate “all the emotion, spirit, love, convention and strength that has kept black people alive through all this ugliness.”
Executive producer Tony Brown says of the program: “White racism has stifled black artistry. We have a generation of black youth brought up on white rock and roll. Hank Johnson’s music, which is typical of what all serious black music is saying, is the type that is not encouraged and not heard. Blacks will get this denied opportunity on “Black Journal.”
Johnson will conduct an orchestra in performances of “Green,” “Brown,” “Red,” and “Blue.”
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1931, Johnson has attended the Eastman School of Music, Juilliard, and Columbia.
“Black Journal” is a production of NET Division, Educational Broadcasting Corporation
Executive producer: Tony Brown
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