Browse Items (32 total)

The_Birmingham_News_Tue__Dec_10__1940_.jpg
Five cartoon newspaper advertisements for the Rhythm Four on Birmingham radio station WSGN, 1939-1941.

The quartet, directed by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra), was popular with both Black and white local audiences, as contemporary newspaper…

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Nov_14__1941_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for the opening of Club Congo, "Birmingham's Finest Nite Club, offering a flashy presentation with Sonny Blount's Orchestra featuring JO BAKER of Chicago's Club Delisa.Weekly Review, November 14, 1941.

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Jun_5__1942_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Club Congo,Weekly Review, June 5, 1942.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Aug_8__1942_.jpg
Newspaper photo and caption depicting the Rhythm Four. The popular quartet, originally founded by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra), had likely undergone some personnel changes since this collection's earlier photos of the group.Weekly Review, August…

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Jul_24__1943_.jpg
Newspaper photo and caption depicting the Rhythm Four: "They Do Jive Differently." The popular quartet, originally founded by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra), had likely undergone some personnel changes since this collection's earlier photos of the…

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The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Dec_5__1943_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a "Battle of Music" to benefit the Negro T. B. Association. Featured acts include the bands of Fess Whatley, Bob Harris, and Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra).Birmingham News, December 5, 1943.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_23__1943_ (1).jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount's "New Style Rhythm Band" at the Grand Terrace, Christmas 1943. Featured performers include, in addition to Blount's band, singer Fletcher "Hootie" Myatt (misidentified here as Fletcher Myles) and "Mammy Blues…

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_30__1943_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount's "New Style Rhythm Band" at the Grand Terrace, 1943. Featured performers include singer Fletcher "Hootie" Myatt (misidentified here as Fletcher Myles); the "Famous Female Impersonator" Chick; and the…

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_23__1943_ (1).jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount's "New Style Rhythm Band" at the Grand Terrace, 1943. Featured performers include singer Fletcher "Hootie" Myatt (misidentified here as Fletcher Myles); the "Famous Female Impersonator" Chick; and the…

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The_Birmingham_Age_Herald_Mon__Mar_5__1945_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Sonny Blount and his Orchestra in a special dance for white visitors to the Colored Masonic Temple. "The most exciting event of the season. Doors open 7:30, dancing at 8 o'clock. Come early, be patriotic, obey the curfew."…

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The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Sep_23__1945_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a Victory Jubilee Dance ("An All-Star Jubilee Special") at Birmingham's Masonic Temple. On occasions like this, the Masonic Temple -- a center for Black life in segregated Birmingham, and a key venue for top local and…

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The_Birmingham_Age_Herald_Sat__Oct_13__1945_.jpg
As this and other advertisements indicate, bandleader Sonny Blount -- performing here with "His 10-pc. Colored Orchestra" at the posh white venue, Queenstown Lake -- had by 1945 become popular with both Black and white audiences in Birmingham. Early…

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