Two advertisements for Duke Ellington at the Masonic Temple. Birmingham News, April 2 and April 4, 1935.Fourth Avenue North's Masonic Temple was the leading entertainment site for Birmingham's Black community in this era, and its second floor…
Two photographs of radio personality Dan Brennan and his wife Clara, Birmingham, Alabama. The first shows the young couple at radio station WVOK. In the second, the couple embraces; lipstick kisses adorn the back of the photo.Dan and Clara Brennan…
Newspaper advertisements for the Rhythm Four and other groups performing at the Pizitz department store's open house, 1940-1941.For National Retail Demonstration Week, the Pizitz hosted an open house, inviting the public to view their latest…
Newspaper advertisements promoting appearances by the Rhythm Four at Birmingham's Lyric Theater, October 1939 - December 1940. The popular Birmingham quartet, directed by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra), appeared in vaudeville packages alongside…
Press coverage in the Kingsport [TN] Times anticipating Fess Whatley's presentation of the Sonny Blount Orchestra. On the heels of his own successful 1934 summer tour, Whatley organized and promoted a tour along the same route, featuring the band of…
Newspaper advertisement for Butterbeans and Susie at the Frolic Theater's Midnight Review.Birmingham News, January 25, 1925.This series of attractions, which invited white visitors into Black Birmingham's leading vaudeville theater to witness some of…
Newspaper advertisement for "The Big Rhythm & Blues Show of '58" at the Madison Nite Spot. Featuring The Midnighters, The 5 Royales, Little Willie John, Bo Diddley, Al Jackson, Tiny Topsy, Etta James, the Cal Green Orchestra, and The…
Newspaper advertisement for Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, featuring Floyd Smith and Beverly White with the Jubilaires. Weekly Review, June 29, 1946.
Newspaper advertisement for Andy Kirk and his Band, featuring pianist Mary Lou Williams. Birmingham Age-Herald, October 16, 1936. Fourth Avenue North's Masonic Temple was the leading entertainment site for Birmingham's Black community in this era,…
Newspaper advertisement for Benny Carter's 15-Piece Orchestra, featuring Maxine Sullivan, at Birmingham's City Auditorium, presented by local promoters Earl Ensley and Biblo Cammack.Weekly Review, July 18, 1941.
Newspaper advertisement for Blanche Calloway at the Masonic Temple.Birmingham News, September 6, 1933.Fourth Avenue North's Masonic Temple was the leading entertainment site for Birmingham's Black community in this era, and its second floor ballroom…
Newspaper advertisement for Bob's Savoy Cafe (AKA Bob's Savoy, AKA The Little Savoy), "A New Deal In Dining Entertainment," featuring the Savoy Syncopators, Weekly Review, Birmingham, Alabama, March 16, 1946.
Newspaper advertisement for Bob's Supper Club (Birmingham, Alabama), featuring Johnnie Hayden, Lucky Leon Davis, Hardy Matthews, Westbrook Walker, and Art Harris.Huntsville Mirror, March 23, 1957.
Newspaper advertisement for Count Basie at the Birmingham City Auditorium, Weekly Review, September 1940.J. Earle Hensley, one of the event's promoters, was a longtime entertainment promoter in Birmingham's Black community.
Newspaper advertisement for the Downbeat Club, Ensley, Alabama, featuring Ike "Boss Man" Williams and His Collegians and Lucky Leon Davis and His All-Stars.Huntsville Mirror, November 26, 1960.
Newspaper advertisement for Fats Waller at the City Auditorium,Birmingham News, February 4, 1938. As the ad notes, Waller would also appear "in an exclusive colored engagement" at Birmingham's Colored Masonic Temple on Valentines' Day, February 14.