Blanche Thomas facts for kids

Blanche Thomas was an American singer from New Orleans. She was known for her amazing blues and jazz music. She was born on October 5, 1922, and passed away on April 21, 1977.

Early Life and Singing Beginnings

Blanche was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father, Sam Thomas, was also a musician. He played the bass and trumpet in bands.

When she was a teenager, Blanche started singing. She sang at a place called the Tick Tock Roof Garden. She also worked there as a waitress. In the 1940s, Blanche sang for soldiers and others at USO events. She also traveled with a circus show called Dodison's World Circus.

Singing in New Orleans Clubs

Later, Blanche came back to New Orleans. She continued to sing in local clubs. She performed with talented musicians like Louis Cottrell and Joe Robichaux.

In the early 1950s, Blanche was a main singer in Dave Bartholomew's band. They often performed at the famous Dew Drop Inn.

First Recordings and Film Appearance

Blanche made her first recording in 1954 for Imperial Records. The song was called "You Ain't So Such A Much." She wrote the song herself. It featured guitarist Ernest McLean and drummer Earl Palmer. This song was special because it did not use any brass instruments or saxophones.

Blanche also sang regularly at other popular clubs. These included Leon Prima's 500 Club and Sid Davila's Mardi Gras Lounge. She even appeared briefly in the 1958 film King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.

Jazz and Touring

In 1958, Blanche recorded a song called "This Love of Mine." She sang it with a small group led by trumpeter Wallace Davenport. This song was released on the Pontchartrain record label.

Soon after, a drummer and bandleader named Paul Barbarin suggested something new. He thought Blanche should start singing with traditional jazz bands. This led her to explore more jazz music.

Performing Across the Country and Abroad

Blanche also performed regularly in clubs in Chicago in the early 1960s. After returning to New Orleans, she recorded an album around 1964. It was called Am I Blue. She worked with Papa French and his New Orleans Jazz Band. The album featured Alvin Alcorn and arrangements by Waldren Joseph. On this album, Blanche Thomas was called "Queen of the Blues."

She also recorded with Paul Barbarin's band in the 1960s. They even toured together in 1967. They traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia to entertain troops.

Later Career and Famous Venues

During the 1960s and 1970s, Blanche Thomas sang often. She performed at places like Dixieland Hall and Heritage Hall in New Orleans. She also sang at the grand opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Blanche appeared on two albums: Blanch Thomas Meets The Last Straws in New Orleans (1972) and New Orleans Heritage Hall Jazz Band (1973). She also released a single song called "Bald Headed Beulah."

She sang with the Al Hirt band in St. Louis. In 1974, she performed at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. She was there with Louis Cottrell, Jr's Heritage Hall Jazz Band.

Blanche toured Europe with Cottrell in 1974. She also appeared at the Grand Parade du Jazz festival in Nice, France. She sang with Cottrell and Barney Bigard there. She toured Europe again in 1975. This time, she was part of a show called The Musical Life of Louis Armstrong.

Blanche Thomas passed away in New Orleans in 1977. She was 54 years old.