Newspaper advertisement for Ida Cox at the Frolic Theater's Midnight Review.Birmingham News, December 19, 1924.This series of attractions, which invited white visitors into Black Birmingham's leading vaudeville theater to witness some of the nation's…
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…
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 Sonny Blount (Sun Ra) and his Orchestra at Birmingham's Highland Park Country Club. Birmingham News, July 14, 1935. On a recent tour north, the group had played Cincinnati's Castle Farm, a lavish venue known for hosting…
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount (Sun Ra) and his Orchestra at Birmingham's Highland Park Country Club. Birmingham Age Herald, July 20, 1935. On a recent tour north, the group had played Cincinnati's Castle Farm, a lavish venue known for…
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount (Sun Ra) and his Orchestra on radio station WSGN.Birmingham Age-Herald, August 23, 1935. Though no Sun Ra recordings are known from this era, the reference here to "His Famous Recording Orchestra" is notable.
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…
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…
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 Lucky Millinder and Mills' Blue Rhythm Band at the Masonic Temple.Birmingham News, June 16, 1935.Fourth Avenue North's Masonic Temple was the leading entertainment site for Birmingham's Black community in this era, and its…
Newspaper advertisement for a "New Year's Eve Barn Dance Frolic" featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's City Auditorium.Birmingham News, December 29, 1937.
Newspaper advertisement for a "New Year's Eve Barn Dance Frolic" featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's City Auditorium.Birmingham News, December 30, 1937.Three of the stars of Whatley's band are identified by name: trumpeter Johnny ("Johnnie")…
Newspaper advertisement for a "New Year's Eve Barn Dance Frolic" featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's City Auditorium. Birmingham News, December 31, 1937. Three of the stars of Whatley's band are identified by name: trumpeter Johnny ("Johnnie")…
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.
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.