His name would have been recognized with admiration and gratitude anywhere around the world, but Harry Belafonte was born and always made his home right here in New York City, up until this week, when the celebrated singer, actor and civil rights icon passed away at age 96 in his Upper West Side home. Belafonte dropped out of George Washington High School to join the Navy during WWII, and began his musical career playing storied clubs like the Royal Roost and the Village Vanguard, polishing up his folk-music sound as he ascended. Then, it was in a Harlem church basement that the Harlem native ...

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