International Al Jolson Society, Inc.
a 501(c)(3) corporation
presents Al Jolson - The World's Greatest Entertainer

The World's Greatest Entertainer

This website is dedicated to the man who was known as The World's Greatest Entertainer, a superstar before the word was coined, and whose musical heritage created much of the entertainment industry we know today. With text, photos, music and more, here is the source to learn about Al Jolson, the master showman of American theatre, whose career spanned fifty years of American Music history. If you have never heard Jolson, you are in for a treat, as many of these pages contain excerpts from some of his most popular or memorable songs. Click the button to hear Jolie say:

In support of this country and all that it stands for; for those who have lost loved ones because they were Americans; for our friends from other countries who are with us; and those who stand ready to defend this country; here is Al Jolson with words from the past, that still ring true today!

The latest Jolson Journal has been sent out to all Full Members of the Society. Click to send in your contribution for the "Members Speak Out" section. If you don't currently receive the Journal, you can check the page to see the table of contents, then click the link on the menu to join the Society!

There has been a lot of discussion about a new book, Only In America — Al Jolson and The Jazz Singer. This book has been added to the "Books" page on the site, and you can read a review of the book by clicking this section.

The absence of Al Jolson from current media is obvious, and multifactorial in origin. Here are some actions you can take to improve the situation.

Viewed from today's perspective, Al Jolson's use of blackface makeup is problematic, at best. While Al Jolson was clearly not racist, many stamp him with that label. Here is an authoritative look at Al Jolson, blackface and racism.

Click here to JOIN or RENEW membership in the International Al Jolson Society

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Click here to UPDATE your membership information in the IAJS

Explore and enjoy these five main sections of the website:

Al Jolson
The Man
Birth, Death, Wives, Children, Biographies

Al Jolson
His Works
Recordings, Radio, Film, Stage, Jolson swag

Al Jolson
Sings Again
TV showings, Memorializers

Friends
And Links
Babino, Halpern, Lee, Jason, and others

Al Jolson
Society
Festivals, CDs, DVDs, Membership and more

[The Man] [His Works] [Now Showing] [Links] [IAJS]

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Take a little Jolson with you on your travels, or share with a friend, with the Audio Podcast, available on iTunes or via the RSS feed from this website

or on the Video Podcast, posted weekly and available here or on YouTube

featured site area of the week:

It was 113 years years ago this week, on November 20, 1911, that Al Jolson's second Broadway vehicle, Vera Violetta, opened at the Winter Garden. Although not billed as the star, notice was taken of this young comic singer, and the Jolson era had truly begun. Enjoy two contemporary reviews of the show, highlighting Jolson's performance, along with recordings of the two songs he introduced in the show; his first recording releases. One of them was his first number one hit!

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Official International Al Jolson Society Website

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. Updated 17 Nov 24 .

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