Lovie Austin (1887-1972) was one of the first female bandleaders in jazz.
Born Cora Calhoun in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on September 19, 1887, she studied music theory at Roger Williams University and Knoxville College in Nashville. In 1923, she moved to Chicago and began touring on the vaudeville circuit. A fancy dresser and a well-liked person, she was often seen around town dressed to the nines and driving her Stutz Bearcat with leopard skin upholstery.
Ranked one of the best female jazz blues piano players of the period, Austin began her career accompanying blues singers such as Ma Rainey.
From 1924-1926, she recorded with her band, the Blues Serenaders, which included trumpeters Tommy Ladnier, Bob Shoffner, Natty Dominique, or Shirley Clay on cornet, trombonist Kid Ory or Albert Wynn on trombone, and Jimmy O’Bryant or Johnny Dodds on clarinet, along with banjo and occasional drums. Austin’s skills as a songwriter can be heard in the classic “Down Hearted Blues”, and she also worked with greats such as Louis Armstrong.
Austin is best remembered today for her recording career. Her band accompanied many of the classic blues singers of the 1920s, including Alberta Hunter, Ida Cox and Ethel Waters. In 1977, pianist Mary Lou Williams had this to say about Austin:
“When I was between 8 or 10 years of age (1918 or 1920), my stepfather and my brother-in-law, Hugh Floyd, often took me to dances and theatres to listen to musicians. Well, there was a T.O.B.A theatre in Pittsburgh where all black entertainers came. I remember seeing this great woman sitting in the pit and conducting a group of five or six men, her legs crossed, a cigarette in her mouth, playing the show with her left hand and writing music with her right. Wow! I never forgot this episode… My entire concept was based on the few times I was around Lovie Austin. She was a fabulous woman and a fabulous musician too. I don’t believe there’s a woman around now who could compete with her. She was a greater talent than many of the men of this period”.
After 1926, Austin’s recording activity came to a halt. When the classic blues craze began to wither, Austin settled into the position of musical director of the Monogram Theater. She worked there for 20 years until after World War II when she became a pianist at Jimmy Payne’s Dancing School at Penthouse Studios, and performed and recorded occasionally. In 1961, she recorded for Riverside’s Living Legends series.
On July 10, 1972, Austin died in Chicago, Illinois.
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Concrete Loop features ‘Black History Spotlights’ each week honoring black people who have played pivotal roles in history. submissions are welcome.
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We need more inspiring women in this world!!
Thank you for showcasing an inspiring and talented black woman!
I always appreciate reading these historical facts about our people. Beauty at it’s best. Keep it up concreteloop because we are definitely tuned in.
These are great posts. I hope people are reading these. You have to know where you been to know where your going!
interesting!! keep it up CONCRETE LOOP I also found this new Cloting Brand, BAC2DAROOTS CLOTHING Co. they concept it’s really good, check them
http://WWW.BAC2DAROOTS.COM.
Bac2DaRoots Worldwide Brand Clothing Co. first mission is to encourage young black people all over the world to learn about the struggle of their African ancestors against slavery and minimize the existing thought differences among black populations from different countries, backgrounds or cultures. In most of the garments it includes a brief history of various black kings mostly African and also black personalities who contributed to slavery’s end all over the world. We also have included designed graphics with positive thoughts and attitude to motivate, give strength, show different world cultures, bring peace, beliefs, innovation and unison to younger and older generation from any race, religion, ethnic group, or culture.
Wow, thanks for posting this. Never even heard of her and she’s from my hometown.
Sorry Guys the Link is
http://WWW.BAC2DAROOTS.COM
Again, I’m glad that you guys informed me about such a groundbreaking African-American, that I Had no clue existed (again….ugh!!!) LOL. Thanks.
Thanks
I love this part of the site….. I just got schooled.
This was a dope post.
Love these posts! Thanks so much CL.
I love this section!
i luv this part too…it’s what sets u guys apart and y u won that award from time (or was it people?) magazine. anyhow keep makin it do what it do. i’m actually going to look for some of Lovie’s work cuz if i hear one more lil wayne song i’m a go crazy!!! thanks!!!
Nice post. She was flashin for real
Thank you for the excellent post! I’ve NEVER heard of Lovie Austin until now.
wow.thats some greta history thier AFRICAN-americans stand up !
YALL ALWAYS TEACHING ME SOMETHING LOL
Wow, just got in here and loved the black history part of the site, also digging the clothing brand ( Bac2daroots ), who’s behind that?