Florence Mills

The effervescent Florence Mills, (January 25, 1896 – November 1, 1927), was one of the most charismatic African American performers of the 1920s. Mills was an African-American cabaret singer, dancer, and comedian known for her effervescent stage presence, delicate voice, and winsome, wide-eyed beauty. Artist Edward Jean Steichen,  c. 1924

Source: Smithsonian Institution | National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Spike Jones

Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones (December 14, 1911 – May 1, 1965) was an American musician and bandleader specializing in performing satirical arrangements of popular songs. Ballads and classical works receiving the Jones treatment would be punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and outlandish vocals. Through the 1940s and early 1950s, the band recorded under the title Spike Jones and his City Slickers and toured the United States and Canada under the title The Musical Depreciation Revue.

Source: rottentomatoes | wikipedia

Valaida Snow

Valaida Snow (June 2, 1904 – May 30, 1956) was an African-American jazz musician and entertainer. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Valaida Snow's beauty attracted audiences, it was her incredible talent as a jazz trumpeter which truly captivated them.  She obtained the nickname, "Little Louis" due to her Louis Armstrong-like playing style.

Source: 1.bp. | lkwdpl

Madeline Jackson

Madeline ‘Sahji’ Jackson was a gorgeous exotic dancer. Sahji was one of the top exotic dancers in the  exotic dancer   Her dancing was often described as poetry in motion.  Sahji was as sexy as a dancer could be but she added class, glamour, and real dancing ability to her performances besides just wiggling and swinging hips; she told a story with her dancing. In the musical "Jivin' In Bebop" Sahji is one of the featured performers, her only screen appearance, her beauty and dancing talents can be enjoyed.

Source: imdb | whataboutbobbed

Chick Webb

William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb (February 10, 1905 – June 16, 1939) was an American jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader. Chick Webb moved to New York around 1925 and from January 1927 led a group at the Savoy Ballroom that later became one of the outstanding bands of the swing period. Webb, a diminutive hunchback, was universally admired by drummers for his forceful sense of swing, accurate technique, control of dynamics, and imaginative breaks and fills

Source: wikimedia | pbs.jazz

Vintage Photo

Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a Cuban-American and was one of the most successful salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums. She was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" as well as "La Guarachera de Cuba. Photo by Narcy Studios, Cuba, 1950s

Source: zeezeescorner | google
Smithsonian Museum of American History

Marie Bryant

Hollywood dancer and choreographer Marie Bryant (November 6, 1917 - May 23, 1978). Marie was one of the most popular Black exotic dancer of the late 1930s and early 1940s. A former Cotton Club dancer, over the years her students included Marlon Brando, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Vera-Ellen, Cyd Charisse, Ava Gardeners, and Mitzi Gaynor. She also worked with Fred Astaire’s choreographer, Hermes Pan and served as an assistant to Jack Cole.

Source: imdb

Ruth St. Denis

Ruth St. Denis (January 20, 1879 – July 21, 1968) was a modern dance pioneer, introducing eastern ideas into the art. She was co-founder of the American Denishawn School of Dance and the teacher of several notable performers.

Source: flickr | google

Vintage Snake Charmer

Vintage Exotic Snake Charmer - 1930s

Source: rootsofgoodness

Ruth Bayton

Ruth Bayton was an African American performer who became popular in Europe in the 1920's. She was born in White Stone, Virginia in 1903 and lived in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York before leaving for the Continent. - Source: flickr.

Vintage Photo

Shimmy: 1920's Vintage Style

Source: shimmygirls

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday born Eleanora Harris (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Considered by many to be the greatest jazz vocalist of all time.

 Source: last.fm | hubpages

Vintage Photo

Vintage Belly Dancer Costume

Source: bellydancecostumes