This is a jazz story about talent, traveling, 1950s Philadelphia, and what constitutes a break in music and in life.
Beryl Booker was a self-taught pianist and singer who played with a large number of male jazz stars in the late 1940s and early 1950s and led her own bands. She was one of a few women in the 1950s who broke barriers in the male-centric genre of jazz. She most notably played with Slam Stewart, Miles Davis and Don Byas, toured with Billie Holiday and recorded on numerous albums. We see something in 1950s America where women in jazz had a bit of a moment - but just a bit.
Beryl’s prodigious lifetime contributions are now largely forgotten and like many stories of women in jazz, often described as “unappreciated” and “overlooked.” This jazz story is also a chronicle in progress of a years-long effort to get Beryl recognized on the Philadelphia Walk of Fame and is a call to action to the audience to advocate for this musician, finally, to get her star.
Pamela Hetherington, tap dancer Deb Smith, trombone Emmy Rotuh, bass Maria Marmarou, drums
Tickets: $5 - $50
Christ Church Neighborhood House Theater
20 N American Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
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