Pianist Roy Bargy (July 31, 1894 – January 16, 1974) got his professional start accompanying films in silent movie houses in Toledo, Ohio In 1919
Paul Barbarin (May 5, 1899 – February 17, 1969) was from a musical family. His father Isidore was the leader of The Onward Brass Band,
Smith Ballew was born in Palestine, Texas on January 21, 1902, the youngest of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. W.Y. Ballew. He studied
Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975) was born in St. Louis, Missouri. When she was thirteen she dropped out of school left
Like many of the early Jazz musicians from Memphis, Tennessee, Buster Bailey (July 19, 1902 – April 12, 1967) got his start playing with W.C.
Lovie Austin (September 19, 1887 – July 8, 1972) was a popular and colorful figure of the 1920s Chicago Jazz and Blues scene. She was
Clarinetist Sidney Arodin (March 29, 1901 – February 6, 1948)is best remembered to today as the writer of the song “Lazy River“. Oddly enough, although
Lil Hardin-Armstrong (February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971)was the most prominent woman in early jazz. She played piano, composed, and arranged for most of
Trumpet player, Henry “Red” Allen Jr. (January 7, 1908 – April 17, 1967) was the son of Henry Allen who was the leader of the
As his name implied, Blues singer Texas Alexander (September 12, 1900 – April 18, 1954) was from the Lone Star State. He started performing at
Irving Aaronson (February 7, 1895 – March 10, 1963) was a silent movie accompanist from childhood, and he may or may not have been related
Louis Armstrong was the greatest of all Jazz musicians. Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity,
