(Encyclopedia) Russell, Lillian, 1861–1922, American singer and actress, b. Clinton, Iowa. Her original name was Helen Louise Leonard. She first appeared in light opera in 1879. In the early 1880s…
(Encyclopedia) Taylor, Koko, 1928–2009, African-American blues singer and songwriter, b. Bartlett, Tenn., as Cora Walton. Growing up, Taylor absorbed gospel music in church and the blues at local…
(Encyclopedia) Clive, Kitty (Catherine Raftor), 1711–85, English singer and actress. She made her debut (c.1728) at Drury Lane under the management of Colley Cibber and worked for many years with…
(Encyclopedia) Ball, Thomas, 1819–1911, American sculptor, b. Charlestown, Mass.; son of a house and sign painter. Thomas Ball was also a singer of reputation, the first in the United States to sing…
(Encyclopedia) Patti, AdelinaPatti, Adelinaădəlēˈnə pătˈē [key], 1843–1919, coloratura soprano, b. Madrid, of Italian parents. She was trained in New York City, where she made her debut in 1859,…
(Encyclopedia) Galilei, VincenzoGalilei, Vincenzovēnchĕnˈtsō gälēlĕˈē [key], d. 1591, Italian lutenist, singer, writer, and composer; father of Galileo. As a member of the Florentine camerata (see…
(Encyclopedia) Gatti-Casazza, GiulioGatti-Casazza, Giulioj&oomacr;ˈlyō gätˈtē-käzätˈsä [key], 1869–1940, Italian operatic manager. In 1893 he succeeded his father as director of the municipal…
(Encyclopedia) Johnson, John Rosamond, 1873–1954, American composer and singer, b. Jacksonville, Fla. After a career in music halls and light opera in England and on the Continent, Johnson toured…
Bessie Smith
See also Notable Women Musicians and Dancers Notable African-American Musicians Notable African-American Visual and Performing Artists Asian American Artists and Musicians…
