Harlem’s John W. Bubbles, First At Radio City, First On TV And Her Taught Fred Astaire
John William Sublett, February 19, 1902 – May 18, 1986, known by his stage name John W. Bubbles, was a vaudeville performer.
John William Sublett, February 19, 1902 – May 18, 1986, known by his stage name John W. Bubbles, was a vaudeville performer.
Here’s a vintage 1936 original photograph capturing Fred Astaire wearing blackface attired to evoke the dancer and Harlem man Bill Robinson, in the “Bojangles of Harlem” solo sequence of “Swing Time”.
World-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli have dedicated many of his albums to great songwriters and performers.
Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959, was a Harlem jazz singer and songwriter.
Afew months ago we reported the collaboration with TCM and b Michael.
The incredible Harold Lloyd Nicholas, March 27, 1921 – July 3, 2000, was a legendary Harlem dancer specializing in tap.
Harlemite Taylor Emmanuel Gordon was born in 1893 – 1971, was a musician and singer.
Buddy Bradley, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1908. He staged dances in the great 1920s revues for Ziegfeld, George White, Earl Carroll and Lew Leslie’s legendary black revue Blackbirds.
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” is a popular song written and published in 1929 by Irving Berlin and introduced by Harry Richman in the musical film Puttin’ on the Ritz, 1930.
William James “Count” Basie August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984, was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. His mother taught him to play the piano and he started performing in his teens.
Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960) met in a brownstone on West 119th Street while both attended Columbia University in West Harlem, New York.
Harry Richman (real name Reichmen), Jr. (1896-1972) was a star of vaudeville, Broadway, a few films and a bit of early TV between 1926 and 1932, today he is almost forgotten. Puttin’ On The Ritz was a #1 hit for Richman as Brunswick 4677 over an eight week chart run beginning February 15, 1930.
Renowned musician King of Latin Soul Joe Bataan and the Barrio Boys perform live and enjoy a day of family-friendly fun at Union Settlement Association’s 22nd Annual Ethnic Festival held Saturday, May 17, 2014, from 11AM-5PM at Union Settlement Way (East 104th between 2nd and 3rdAvenues).
Frankie Manning (May 26, 1914 – April 27, 2009) was an American dancer, instructor and choreographer. Manning is considered one of the founding fathers of the Lindy Hop.
Leonard Harper (born April 9, 1899 in Birmingham, Alabama- died February 4, 1943, Harlem, New York) was a producer /stager/ choreographer in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s.