People, Locations, Episodes

Elizabeth Cotten, Folk and Blues Musician born

*Elizabeth Cotten’s birth in late January 1893 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American guitarist.

Perry Bradford, Composer born

*Perry Bradford was born on this date in 1893.  He was a Black composer, songwriter, and vaudeville performer. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Bradford grew up in Atlanta, where his family moved when he was six, and in 1906 started working in minstrel shows. He played in Chicago as a solo pianist as early as 1909 and visited New York City the following year.  Through extensive experience with […]

‘Big Bill’ Broonzy, Blues Guitarist born

On this date, we celebrate the birth of Big Bill Broonzy in 1893. He was an African American blues singer and guitarist.

Lawrence Brown, Composer and Pianist born

*Lawrence Brown was born on this date in 1893. He was a Black Gay vocalist (tenor), composer and pianist. Lawrence Benjamin Brown was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised by his father, Clark Benjamin Brown, and his stepmother, Cenia Brown. Lawrence’s birth mother died when he was three years old. Clark and his father were […]

Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blues Musician born

This date celebrates the birth of Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1897. He was an African American country blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, one of the earliest Black folk-blues singers to achieve popular success.

Mabel Ridley, Mezzo-Soprano born

*The birth of Mabel Ridley is celebrated on this date in 1894. She was a Black mezzo-soprano singer who appeared in Broadway theatre and revues in the 1920s and 1930s. Mabel Ridley was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Charles and Katherine Ridley in January 1894. Back in 1843, on their marriage, her grandparents, Ulysses Ridley […]

Lillian Morris LeMon, Pianist, and Educator born

*On this date in 1894, Lillian Morris LeMon was born.  She was a Black pianist, music teacher, and administrator. Born Lillian Morris in Louisville, KY, her parents were William and Ada. Like many Blacks, the Morris went north in the early 20th century with the great migration, arriving in Indianapolis by 1902. She graduated from […]

James P. Johnson, Stride Piano Musician born

*This date marks the birth of James Price Johnson in 1894. He was a highly influential African American jazz pianist, who also wrote popular songs and composed classical works.

Bessie Smith, the “Blues Empress” born

This date marks the birthday of Bessie Smith in 1894. She was an African American woman entertainer who danced, acted and performed comedy.

Turner Layton, Pianist born

*Turner Layton was born on this date in 1894.  He was a Black songwriter, singer, and pianist.   Born John Turner Layton, Jr., in Washington, D.C., he was the son of John Turner Layton, “a bass singer, music educator, and hymn composer.” After receiving a musical education from his father, he attended Howard University Dental School. Later, in the early 1900s, he came […]

Ada “Bricktop,” Smith, Singer born

*Ada Smith was born on this date in 1894. The original “Bricktop,” she was an African American vaudevillian, saloon entertainer, international host, and nightclub owner.

Bennie Moten, Jazz Pianist born

*On this date in 1894, Bennie Moten was born. He was an African American pianist and one of the earliest known organizers of bands in the Midwest in the emergent years of jazz.

Moten was born in Kansas City, MO. He became a band leader in and around his hometown in 1922 and remained so until his death. His made his recording debut in 1923, and, although many of his recordings sound unremarkable, he is regarded as a figure of great importance in the development of the larger jazz orchestra.

Morris Karnofsky, Businessman born.

*Morris Karnofsky was born on this date in 1895.  He was a Jewish American tailor, coal and junk owner, and record store owner. He was born in Lithuania. His family, Jewish immigrants, had roots in New Orleans, LA.  This was near Girod and Franklin Streets, a few blocks from where the family of Louis Armstrong lived. When […]

Lizzie Miles, Blues Singer born

*On this date in 1895, Lizzie Miles was born.

Alberta Hunter, Blues Singer born

On this date in 1895, Alberta Hunter was born in Memphis, TN. She was an African American blues and cabaret singer and an early and enduring Black recording star.