Sammy Davis Jr: The Man Who Made Swing Cool

Sammy Davis Jr. was a legendary African American entertainer who made a significant impact on American entertainment. Born on December 8, 1925, in Harlem, New York City, Davis began his career at a young age, making his first appearance in vaudeville at the age of three. Davis quickly rose to fame and became a popular figure in Hollywood, starring in films such as "Ocean's 11" and "Porgy and Bess." He was known for his unique style and versatility, excelling in singing, dancing, acting, and impersonations. However, despite his immense talent and success, Davis faced numerous challenges throughout his life due to his race.

Linus Baker works for the highly bureaucratic (and deeply flawed) Department in Charge Of Magical Youth (DICOMY), evaluating the orphanages and schools that house magical children. He cares about his job, but his personal emotional life is pretty walled off. When he’s called to evaluate the students at Marsyas Island Orphanage, he is surprised by what he finds there and it changes him in the most profound ways.

Although they might not face exactly the same kinds of decisions as those who work at Hogwarts, the issues of religion, intellectual freedom, and the inevitable challenges that come from mixing the two are just as important. Yet for people who do believe in the existence of black magic and evil witches and wizards who try to harm others, Harry Potter poses a real danger and does not have a place in a classroom.

However, despite his immense talent and success, Davis faced numerous challenges throughout his life due to his race. Living in a time of racial segregation and discrimination, he often encountered difficulties and obstacles that other entertainers did not experience. One of the most significant moments in Davis' career came in 1960 when he was involved in a serious car accident.

Magical Reads for Kids Who Love Harry Potter

Harry Potter introduced a lot of kids to magic -- and reading! If your kids can't get enough of stories involving wands and spells, magic academies, magical creatures, and other realms, our list is here to help. These fantasy books have it all covered. We've handpicked some of the most imaginative, magical adventure stories and series out there for young readers (and older ones too). For more exciting adventures beyond everyday reality, check out our Science Fiction Books and Fantasy Books for Kids.

Dragons in a Bag, Book 1

Exciting tale of New York kid's journey to magical world.

Half Magic: Tales of Magic, Book 1

Delightful, charming classic has adventure, humor, heart.

The Magic Misfits, Book 1

Fast-paced, fun adventure about kid magician finding home.

A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic

History, magic, foreign travel in exciting tween adventure.

Circus Mirandus

A mesmerizing journey through a wonderful, magical world.

Foxheart

Girl and dog pal face riveting, intense fight to save magic.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

First-rate, spellbinding story of misfit girl who's magic.

A Tale of Magic, Book 1

Imaginative, lively tale launches Land of Stories prequels.

A Taste of Magic

Novice witch learns to control her magic in funny novel.

The Apothecary, Book 1

Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel.

Tempests and Slaughter: The Numair Chronicles, Book 1

Strong characters, murder fill exciting magic-academy tale.

There are a lot of interesting class-based power dynamics and species-based racism. And the story is chockablock with shady doings, political shenanigans and conspiracies.

The accident resulted in the loss of his left eye, but Davis persevered and continued his career, wearing an eye patch and often incorporating humor about his situation into his performances. Throughout his life, Davis was an advocate for civil rights and equality. He was a member of the Rat Pack, a group of entertainers that included Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who used their platform to fight against racism and discrimination. "that old black magic" is one of Davis' most well-known and popular songs. Released in 1955, the song showcases Davis' incredible vocal range and his ability to captivate audiences with his charismatic and dynamic performances. Overall, Sammy Davis Jr. was an extraordinary talent and an important figure in American entertainment. Despite the challenges he faced, he left a lasting legacy as one of the greatest performers of his time and a trailblazer for African American artists..

Reviews for "Sammy Davis Jr: A Black Superstar in a Divided America"

1. John Smith - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Sammy davis jr that old black matic". I was expecting a tribute to the legendary Sammy Davis Jr., but instead, I found a collection of mediocre songs that lacked the passion and energy of the original recordings. The vocals were lackluster, and the instrumentation felt flat. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to honor a true icon of the entertainment industry.

2. Jane Doe - 1/5 - I can't believe how poorly executed "Sammy davis jr that old black matic" is. The choice of songs was questionable, and the performances were lackluster at best. It felt like a cheap cash grab, trying to capitalize on the fame of Sammy Davis Jr. without putting any effort into the production. I expected better, and I was sorely disappointed.

3. Robert Johnson - 2/5 - As a fan of Sammy Davis Jr., I was excited to listen to "Sammy davis jr that old black matic". However, I found the album to be a letdown. The arrangements and production were lackluster, and the charm and charisma that made Sammy Davis Jr. stand out were completely missing. It felt like a watered-down version of his classics, and I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

4. Emily Thompson - 3/5 - While "Sammy davis jr that old black matic" had its moments, overall, it failed to capture the true essence of Sammy Davis Jr.'s performances. The vocals lacked the energy and charisma that Sammy was famous for, and the musical arrangements felt uninspired. It wasn't a terrible album, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations as a fan of Sammy Davis Jr.

5. David Wilson - 2/5 - "Sammy davis jr that old black matic" was a disappointing listen. The vocal performances felt forced and impersonal, lacking the soul and emotion that Sammy Davis Jr. was known for. The song choices were also questionable and didn't showcase the breadth of Sammy's talent. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to create a truly memorable tribute to a legendary artist.

Sammy Davis Jr: Lighting Up the Las Vegas Strip