Josephine Baker

FEATURED LENSES 

SURREALISM

WHAT *IS* SURREALISM? sur·re·al·ism [suh- ree-uh-liz-uhm]–noun (sometimes initial capital letter) 1927, from Fr. surréalisme (from sur- "beyond" réalisme "realism"), coined c.1917 by G...

The Flappers!

flap*per n. 1. A broad flexible part, such as a flipper. 2. A young woman, especially one in the 1920s with disdain for conventional dress and behavior. [Sense 2, British Slang, very young female prostitute, flapper, possibly from flapper, fledgling...

The Jazz Age

The Jazz Age describes the period from 1918-1929, the years between the end of World War I and the start of the Roaring Twenties; ending with the rise of the Great Depression, the traditional values of this age saw great decline while the American st...

VAUDEVILLE!

Vaudeville was a genre of variety entertainment prevalent on the stage in the United States and Canada, from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. It developed from many sources, including the concert saloon, minstrelsy, freak shows, dime museums,...

Everything Vintage!

vin·tage adj.   Of or relating to a vintage. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.

Crooners and Songbirds

The Jazz Age! Tin Pan Alley!! The Great White Way!!!   croon    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (krn) v. crooned, croon·ing, croons v. intr. 1.    To hum or sing softly. 2.    To sing popul...

The Talking Machine

victrola (plural victrolas) In common usage, any upright or console model phonograph from the early 1900s, usually with a wooden cabinet body and an interior horn for the projection of sound, that plays 78 rpm records using a steel needle.

The Paper Moon

I never feel a thing is real When I'm away from you Out of your embrace The world's a temporary parking place A bubble for a minute You smile, the bubble has a rainbow in it Say, it's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But it wouldn't b...

Red Hot Jazz

JAZZ -noun 1. music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvis...

ON THIS DAY in JAZZ AGE MUSIC

* THE ROARING TWENTIES! * * TIN PAN ALLEY! * *PROHIBITION! * * RED HOT JAZZ! * Grab Yourself some Moonshine and c'mon In! FEATURING: * MUSICIAN BIO'S * IMAGES GALORE * MP3'S * VIDEOS * RESOURCES * LINKS

Bricktop

Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, better known as Bricktop (Aug 14, 1894 - Feb 1, 1984) was an African-American dancer, singer, vaudevillian, and saloon-keeper who owned the nightclub Chez Bricktop in Paris from 1924 to 1961, as well...

Dolly Sisters

BIOGRAPHY The Dolly Sisters, twins Rosika (Rose) and Jansci (Jenny) Deutsch, were born October 25, 1892 in Hungary, and emigrated to the United States in 1905. They perfected a single-sex "tandem" dance act - practicing in front of mirrors - under...

Florence Mills

Florence Mills, born Florence Winfrey (January 25, 1896 - November 1, 1927), known as the "Queen of Happiness," was an American cabaret singer, dancer, and comedian known for her effervescent stage presence, delicate voice, and winsome, wide-eyed bea...

Nancy Cunard

Nancy Clare Cunard (March 10, 1896 - March 17, 1965) was an English writer, editor and publisher, political activist, anarchist and poet. She was born into the British upper class but strongly rejected her family's values, devoting much of her life t...

Countess di Castiglione

Virginia Oldoini, Countess de Castiglione (1837-1899), better known as La Castiglione, was an Italian courtesan who achieved notoriety as a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photogra...

Bessie Love

Bessie Love c. 1916 Born Juanita Horton September 10, 1898 Midland, Texas Died April 26, 1986 (aged 87) London, England Spouse(s) William Hawks

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich (December 27 1901-May 6 1992) was a German-born American actress, singer and entertainer. She is considered to be the first German actress to flourish in Hollywood. Dietrich managed to remain popular by continually re-inventing hers...

Marchesa Casati

Luisa Casati Stampa di Soncino, Marchesa di Roma (Milan, 23 January 1881 - London, 1 June 1957) was an eccentric Italian heiress, muse, and patroness of the arts in early 20th century Europe.

Jane Green

Jane Green (2 January 1897 - 28 August 1931) was a United States singer popular in the 1920s. Green was born in Kentucky as Martha Jane Greene. She appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies and recorded over 30 phonograph records, and appeared in s...

Lee Morse

Birth name: Lena Corinne Taylor Born: November 30, 1897 (1897-11-30) Origin: Portland, Oregon Died: December 16, 1954 (aged 57) Genre(s): Jazz, Blues Occupation(s): Singer, Actress Instrument(s): vocals, guitar Years active: 1923-1953 Label(s): Pathe...