Category : Performance

James P. Johnson, in full James Price Johnson, (born Feb. 1, 1894, New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.—died Nov. 17, 1955, New York, N.Y.), highly influential black...

A pianist, Count Basie played vaudeville before eventually forming his own big band and helping to define the era of swing with hits like “One...

Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the “First Lady of Song” and “Queen of Jazz,” was a legendary American jazz singer. Born on April 25, 1917,...

Lena Horne was a legendary performer and civil rights activist who broke barriers in the entertainment industry. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917, Horne...

Cotton Club, the legendary nightspot in the Harlem district of New York City that for years featured prominent black entertainers who performed for white audiences....

Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, was a legendary American jazz musician and singer. He was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana,...

Duke Ellington, born Edward Kennedy Ellington, was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader who was one of the most influential figures in jazz music. He...

Cab Calloway, born Cabell Calloway III on December 25, 1907, in Rochester, New York, was a pioneering figure in the world of jazz and entertainment....

Ethel Waters was a renowned American singer and actress, known for her soulful voice and captivating performances. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania in 1896, Waters faced...

A Pioneer of Ragtime and Early Jazz Eubie Blake, born James Hubert Blake on February 7, 1887, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a prominent American pianist,...