Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life (1935) is a musical short film featuring Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...

's extended piece 'A Rhapsody of Negro Life.' Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...

 made her film debut, and Earl Snakehips Tucker

Earl Snakehips Tucker

Earl "Snakehips" Tucker became known as the "Human Boa Constrictor" after the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips "....

 also appeared. Fred Waller directed and Adolph Zukor

Adolph Zukor

Adolph Zukor , born Adolph Cukor, was a film mogul and founder of Paramount Pictures.-Early life:...

 presented it for Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...

.
The film is divided into four parts; "The Laborers," "A Triangle," "A Hymn of Sorrow" and "Harlem Rhythm." "A Triangle," features solos by Barney Bigard

Barney Bigard

Albany Leon Bigard, aka Barney Bigard, was an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist, though primarily known for the clarinet....

 and Joe Nanton, as well as vocals by Holiday.