PIONEERS OF JAZZ
-MUSICIANS -

For a brief history of Lindy Hop, click here. Note: these images have been compiled from various sources on the web.

INTERNATIONAL SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm (1937–1949) was the first integrated all women's #swing and #jazz band in the United States.


During the 1940s the band featured some of the best female musicians of the day including Anna Mae Winburn, Ernestine "Tiny" Davis and Vi Burnside


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #BlackExcellence source: @wikipedia

VALAIDA SNOW (1904-1956)

Valaida Snow (June 2, 1904 – May 30, 1956) was an African-American jazz trumpeter.


She was named "Little Louis" after @ArmstrongHouse, who called her the world's second best jazz trumpet player besides himself.


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM source: @wikipedia

LIL HARDIN AMRSTRONG (1898-1971)

Lillian Hardin Armstrong (Feb 3, 1898–Aug 27, 1971) was a jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader.


She was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, with whom she collaborated on many recordings in the 1920s.


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM source: @wikipedia


LOUIS AMRSTRONG

(1904-1971)

Louis Daniel Armstrong (Aug 4, 1901–Jul 6, 1971), was an American trumpeter who was among the most influential figures in #jazz.


He is credited with rhythmic #swing. As Jazz Ambassador, he took jazz around the world.


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM source: @wikipedia

COLEMAN HAWKINS (1904-1969)

Coleman Hawkins (Nov 21, 1904–May 19, 1969), aka "Hawk" or "Bean", was a prominent American jazz tenor saxophonist.


He is credited with getting the tenor acknowledged as a jazz horn. He influenced generations of musicians.


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM src:@wikipedia

BILLIE HOLIDAY
(1915-1959)

Eleanora Fagan (Apr 7, 1915–Jul 17, 1959) aka Billie Holiday, was an African American jazz singer nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend Lester Young.


She had a 30 yr career, and had a seminal influence on jazz music


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM


source: @wikipedia

MARY LOU WILLIAMS (1910-1981)

Mary Lou Williams (Mary Scruggs;May 8, 1910–May 28, 1981) was an American jazz pianist, arranger, & composer who wrote hundreds of compositions & arrangements and recorded for Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM src: @wikipedia

CHICK WEBB (1905-1939)

William Henry "Chick" Webb (Feb 10, 1905–Jun 16, 1939) an American swing drummer and bandleader whose band was the house band at the Savoy.


He hired teenage Ella who took over his band after his death


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM src: @wikipedia


IVIE ANDERSON
(1904-1949)

Ivie Anderson (Jul 10, 1904–Dec 28, 1949) : an American jazz singer who as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra sang "All God's Children" in the movie "A Day at the Races" for the lindyhop dance scene


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM


source: @wikipedia

JOHNNY HODGE (1907-1970)

Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (Jul 25, 1907–May 11, 1970) - an American alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band.


He is considered one of the definitive alto players of the big band era


#TheyMadeUsDance #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM source: @wikipedia