Alice Leslie Carter facts for kids

Alice Leslie Carter was an American singer who made recordings in the early 1920s. She was known for her "classic female blues" style. This type of blues music was often sung by women and became very popular. Her most famous songs were "Decatur Street Blues" and "Aunt Hagar's Children Blues."

Alice Leslie Carter sang around the same time as other famous blues artists like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Not much is known about her life outside of her music. It's important not to confuse her with another blues singer named Alice Carter, who recorded songs a bit later in 1923.

Alice Leslie Carter's Music Career

Alice Leslie Carter recorded eleven songs in 1921. She worked with James P. Johnson, a talented piano player, who led the music for her recordings. During this time, many record companies were eager to sign any singer who could perform a blues song. This was because blues music was very popular and in high demand.

Even though some singers weren't very good, Carter's recordings showed that she had a strong and powerful voice. One of her important recordings was "Aunt Hagar's Children Blues." This was the first time this song, written by W. C. Handy and Tim Brymn, was recorded with someone singing the words.

On January 20, 1922, Carter took part in a blues-singing contest. This exciting event happened at the Manhattan Casino in New York City. She competed against other well-known singers like Lucille Hegamin, Daisy Martin, and Trixie Smith. Trixie Smith ended up winning the contest.

In the program for the contest, Alice Leslie Carter was called "The International Blues Star." A music expert named David Evans thought this might mean she had traveled and performed in Europe. She might have toured with an American band after World War I.

All of her recorded songs were later put together on a special collection album. This album was called Female Blues Singers, Vol. 4: C (1921–1930). It was released in 1997 by Document Records, allowing new generations to hear her music.

Her Recorded Songs

Alice Leslie Carter's songs were recorded in New York City in 1921. They were released by several record labels, including Arto Records, Globe, Bell, Hy-Tone, and Cleartone.

Here are some of the songs she recorded:

• Recorded around August 1921:
  • "Dangerous Blues"
  • "I Want Some Lovin' Blues"
  • "The Also Ran Blues"
  • "Cry Baby Blues"
  • "You'll Think of Me Blues"

• Recorded around September 1921:
  • "Aunt Hagar's Children Blues"
  • "Down Home Blues"

• Recorded around November 1921:
  • "Decatur Street Blues"
  • "Got to Have My Daddy Blues"

See also

• List of classic female blues singers