Browse Items (32 total)

The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Sep_15__1940_.jpg
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…

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The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Oct_22__1939_.jpg
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…

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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Kingsport_Times_Fri__Oct_12__1934_ copy.jpg
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…

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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_Fri__Dec_20__1940_.jpg
FINISH FULL CAPTION: SOLOVOXNewspaper advertisement for a Christmas dance featuring the Rhythm Four, "With SONNY BLOUNT and His Electric Solovox" and "Guest Artist Mis VIVIAN BREWSTER" of Cleveland, Ohio.

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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_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_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_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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The_Birmingham_Age_Herald_Fri__Aug_23__1935_.jpg
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.

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The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Jul_14__1935_.jpg
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…

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The_Birmingham_Age_Herald_Sat__Jul_20__1935_.jpg
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…

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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_Birmingham_News_Wed__Oct_4__1939_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for the Rhythm Four, the popular Birmingham quartet led by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra).

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The_Birmingham_News_Thu__Oct_17__1940_.jpg
COMPLETE FULL CAPTIONNewspaper advertisement for "B'ham's Favorite Quartet," the Rhythm Four on radio station WSGN,Birmingham News, October 17, 1940.The Rhythm Four, directed by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra), was popular among both Black and white…

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The_Birmingham_News_Thu__Apr_27__1939_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for the Alabama Theater,Birmingham News, April 27, 1929. The advertised screening ofYes, My Darling Daughter("1939's Most Daring Heart-to-Heart Story of Young Love ... Positively NOT RECOMMENDED For Children!") is accompanied…

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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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