The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Pioneering African-American Entertainers

For the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday yesterday, Film Noir Photos posted a set of pictures featuring pioneering African-Americans in the entertainment industry; including Josephine Baker, Cab Calloway, and Hattie McDaniel (left).  In addition to being the first African-American to win an Oscar, she was the first African-American woman to sing on radio in America.  She was sometimes criticised for often playing a maid (e.g. her Oscar-winning role as Mammy in Gone With The Wind).  Her response was "I'd rather play a maid and make $7000 a week than be one for $7."


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