The Name Al Jolson

al jolson was born asa jolsen in 18 85 in a jewish village called srednick in the russian empire. His father, moses yolsen, was a rabbi and a canter, that is, a singer who leads jewish congregations and sung prayers. When he was still tha tean ager, he moved into vaudeville, where he made a name for himself, performing as a minstrel singer in black face. He went on to musical theatre on broadway where he would be the biggest name in show business for the next 15 years,. appearing in shows built around him in his particular singing talents. As you already know,