Before Ella and Billie, there was Adelaide Hall, one of the best-kept secrets of the Harlem Renaissance — to many Americans that is. Embraced in Paris and London, the Brooklyn born entertainer began in Harlem as performer and Jazz singer; sharing the stage and recording with greats like Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Over the span of her 80-year career, she recorded 70 albums as well as acted in popular plays. This lady definitely had style, I'm loving the semi-transparent silk gown!
AUDIO: I Must Have That Man (1928)
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Wow, what a blast from the past. Blackface musical notes? Crazy! Adelaide had a beautiful voice, and could cut a rug in an evening gown. The Nicholas Brothers were amazingly talented young performers. Plus you had to notice that the "All-Colored" vaudeville show had a white opening act.
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