January 1960

Hansberry became the first Black playwright and youngest American to win the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for 'A Raisin in the Sun,' then in its landmark Broadway run.

Though it opened in 1959, Hansberry's play continued its landmark Broadway run into 1960, winning the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best play of the year — the first Black playwright and youngest American to win the award. Its film adaptation appeared in 1961.

Coleman's double-quartet album featuring simultaneous improvisation by eight musicians founded the free jazz movement, dismantling conventional harmonic and rhythmic structures and opening jazz to radical new expression.

Motown's first million-selling single, 'Shop Around' by The Miracles reached #1 on the R&B chart and #2 pop, establishing Motown Records as a commercial force and Smokey Robinson as its premier songwriter-performer.

Coltrane's landmark album introduced 'Coltrane changes,' a revolutionary harmonic substitution system that permanently expanded jazz composition. The album is considered one of the most important jazz recordings ever made.

Drummer Max Roach and singer Abbey Lincoln recorded this suite explicitly addressing slavery, the civil rights struggle, and African liberation. One of the most overtly political jazz recordings of the era, featuring anguished vocals on 'Triptych.'

Indianapolis guitarist Wes Montgomery's breakthrough Riverside Records album showcased his unique octave-chord technique and earned a Grammy nomination, establishing him as the most influential jazz guitarist of his generation.

'Chain Gang' reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Sam Cooke's defining hits and an early example of a Black artist addressing the criminal justice system in pop music while crossing over to mainstream audiences.