Newspaper clipping, Birmingham, Alabama, 1940. "'From Bunker Hill to Chateau Thierry, Negroes have been good soldiers.... None have been traitors.... You must continue unblemished the exemplary record of Negro soldiers....'"With these heroic words…
1940 songbook for Birmingham, Alabama, radio personality Happy Hal Burns. Includes selections of Spirituals, Songs of Romance, Hymns, and Western Ballads, in addition to photos, "Inspirational Thoughts," and endorsements of Burns's sponsor, the…
Newspaper advertisement for Fess Whatley's 12-Piece Orchestra in an "Exclusive Colored Dance" at Birmingham's City Auditorium, Birmingham News, February 7, 1940.
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.
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…
Newspaper photo, with caption, featuring the Ripple Rhythm Four, a popular quartet directed by Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra, seen here second from left). Originally the Rhythm Four, the group's name here reflects a sponsorship by the Ripple…
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 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.