Butler May facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Butler May
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Butler and Sweetie May
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Butler May Jr. |
| Also known as | String Beans "The Elgin Movements Man" |
| Born | August 18, 1894 Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 1917 (aged 23) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Vaudeville, blues |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, comedian, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1909–1917 |
| Associated acts | Will Benbow Sweetie May Butterbeans and Susie |
Butler "String Beans" May (born August 18, 1894 – died November 17, 1917) was a famous American entertainer. He was a singer, piano player, comedian, and performer in vaudeville. Vaudeville was a popular type of show with many different acts. People called him "String Beans" because he was tall and thin.
Many people thought he was the best performer in African-American vaudeville. He was known for his funny jokes and amazing dancing. He also played the piano in a very exciting way. At just 23 years old, he was one of the highest-paid Black entertainers. Sadly, no recordings of his music exist today.
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The Early Life of Butler May
Butler May was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He was one of eight children in his family. His father passed away when Butler was young. His mother worked hard to support the family.
From a young age, Butler May showed a lot of musical talent. He loved to sing and play the piano. By the time he was 14, he was already a very skilled performer. He then joined a touring group called "Chocolate Drops Company." This group traveled around performing in vaudeville shows.
Becoming "String Beans"
In 1909, Butler May performed in Atlanta with another comedian named Kid Kelly. It was around this time that he got his famous stage name, "String Beans." This name fit him well because he was tall and slender.
The next year, he met Sweetie Matthews, who was from New Orleans. They became partners in both life and on stage. They got married and often performed together in the "Chocolate Drops Company."
In 1911, Butler and Sweetie May performed in Chicago. They played at the Monogram theater, which was a very important place for Black vaudeville acts. Their performances helped make the blues style of music very popular in American entertainment.
His Unique Style
Butler May was known for his original songs and performances. He was very good at making up lyrics on the spot. One of his most popular songs was "Titanic Blues." In this song, he joked about surviving the Titanic disaster because he was so athletic.
He also created a popular blues phrase, "Elgin movements." Because of this, he was sometimes called "The Elgin Movements Man."
A writer named W. L. James saw String Beans perform around 1914. He described how String Beans would play the piano. His head would nod, his shoulders would shake, and his body would quiver. He would even sink to the stage floor while still playing. He would shout the blues and perform amazing dances.
Inspiring Other Artists
String Beans and Sweetie May toured together for several years. Their performances inspired other famous acts. For example, they directly influenced the husband-and-wife team of Butterbeans and Susie.
Butler May also inspired many other musicians. The famous singer Ethel Waters said that he was an inspiration to her. Even Jelly Roll Morton, another well-known musician, remembered May as "the greatest comedian he ever knew." Morton described May as a tall, slender man with a big diamond in his front tooth. He said May was the first person he saw with a diamond in his mouth.
Later Years and Legacy
In February 1916, May started a new act with Will Benbow. This group grew into a big show with many performers. One critic called May "the blues master piano player of the world." The critic said May's unique comedy and blues piano playing created a lot of excitement.
After this big show ended in early 1917, May continued to perform alone. He later joined another show before teaming up with Butterbeans and Susie for a new act.
Sadly, Butler May passed away in November 1917 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was only 23 years old. His death was caused by an accident during a ceremony. He suffered a broken neck and passed away a week later. Even though he died young and left no recordings, Butler May's influence on blues and vaudeville music was very important.
