Top Female Vocalists of the 1940's
She is renowned for her work with big bands and her unique scat singing while remaining a dominant force in the world of Jazz during this period.
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
She is known as "the most popular black recording artist of the 1950's" as she bridged R&B, blues and jazz with over 2 dozen hits between 1948 and 1955.
Who is Dinah Washington?
She is widely regarded as the greatest gospel singer of the 20th Century; was a pivotal voice in the Civil Rights Movement, and the first gospel singer to win a Grammy Award.
Who is Mahalia Jackson?
This amazing dancer broke barriers as the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
Who is Misty Copeland?
She is known as the "Dean of Black Women Composers".
Who is Undine Smith Moore?
She is known as "Lady Day" because of her emotional delivery and a notable force on the New York Club Scene.
Who is Billie Holiday?
This "First Lady of Song" was the first Black artist to win a Grammy Award in 1959.
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
She is a best selling and most awarded female gospel artists in history, holding 17 Grammy Awards and a long legacy of hits.
Who is CeCe Winans?
She is one of the first Black women to become a principal dancer at a major company, namely, Houston Ballet Company.
Who is Lauren Anderson?
She is contemporary, Grammy winning composer and violinist.
Who is Jessie Montgomery?
She gained immense popularity in the late 1930's and 1040's with her mix of gospel, blues and electric guitar.
Who is Sister Rosetta Tharpe?
Known as the "Queen of Gospel" whose profound, emotional vocals served as the soundtrack for the civil rights movement.
Who is Mahalia Jacksom?
She is known as the "First Lady of Gospel" whose career spanned decades with 11 Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades.
Who is Shirley Caesar?
She revolutionized American dance with her own company and techniques in the 1930's and 1940's.
Who is Katherine Dunham?
She is a prolific composer who broke barriers in 1933 when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra preformed her symphony in E Minor.
Who is Florence Price?
She is a singer, dancer, and actor who was a featured attraction at the Apollo Theater and toured with Duke Ellington.
Who is Marie Bryant?
This premier jazz vocalist reach new heights with her distinctive voice and phrasing.
Who is Sarah Vaughn?
Although she is known as the "Queen of Soul", her roots were in gospel, and her album "Amazing Grace" remains one of the best selling albums of all times.
Who is Aretha Franklin?
This renowned dancer, choreographer, and director has mentor generations and recently was honored by Mattel Toys with a doll in her name as part of "Inspiring Women's Collection."
Who is Debbie Allen?
She is a pianist and composer who frequently collaborated with Langston Hughes and was a student of Florence Price.
Who is Margaret Bonds?
She is an influential blues singer, known for her hits in the early 1940's.
Who is Lil Green?
She was a dominant force in early R&B as a hitmaker for Atlantic Records during the 1950's.
Who is Ruth Brown?
As a group, they revolutionized contemporary gospel with complex harmonies and vocal techniques with outstanding vocals.
Who are the Clark Sisters?
This legendary, barrier-breaking performer was an entertainer, civil rights activist, and a World War II spy.
Who is Josephine Baker?
She is a renowned contemporary flutist and composer.
Who is Valerie Coleman?