Harry Belafonte

Harold George Belafonete, Jr.,was born on March 1, 1927 in
New York’s Harlem. Living with his grandmother in Jamaica
as a child, he would return to New York to attend high school
before enlisting in the navy during World War II.

After his discharge from the military, he performed as a club singer
to pay for acting classes. It would lead to Harry Belafonte
becoming one of the most successful recording stars of all time as
he introduced the world to the Caribbean style of music
as the “King of Calypso.”

In the mid 50’s Belefonte’s “Calypso” album became the first LP to sell
more than one million copies. In 1956 his “Jamaica Farewell” single
began its ride as a best seller for 26 straight weeks with “Mary’s Boy
Child” a perennial Christmas song that continues to be a holiday
favorite more than fifty years later.

“Banana Boat” (Day-O) topped the Hit Parade in 1957, followed by
“Mama Look At Bubu” that same year. Among his other hits,
“Hold Em Joe,” “Cocoanut Woman” and “Island In The Sun”
from a motion picture starring Harry Belefonte.

With dozens of successful albums to his credit, Belafonte, with
numerous films to his credit is also a Tony Award winning actor.
He lives in New York City.