Gladys Bryant facts for kids
Gladys Lillian Bryant was an American singer who became famous for her blues music and for performing in vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment in the early 1900s, featuring many different acts like singers, dancers, and comedians. Gladys Bryant was born on December 21, 1901, in Aiken, South Carolina. We don't know when she passed away.
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Early Career and First Performances
Gladys Bryant started to become known as a singer in 1922. She was part of the chorus, which is a group of singers, in a show called The Plantation Revue. This show was created by Lew Leslie and featured the famous singer Florence Mills. Being in this show helped Gladys get noticed for her talent.
Singing Blues in England
In 1923, Gladys Bryant traveled to England with Florence Mills and the rest of the cast. They performed in a show called From Dover Street to Dixie. This show was a type of musical revue, which means it was a series of short performances like songs, dances, and skits. During this time, Gladys Bryant, along with another singer named Edith Wilson, made history. They were among the very first people to sing blues music in Britain! This helped introduce the blues to a new audience across the ocean.
Recording Her Music
Also in 1923, Gladys Bryant recorded six songs for Paramount Records. These recordings helped share her unique voice with even more people. Some of her famous songs included "Tired O' Waitin' Blues" and "Laughin’ Cryin’ Blues." For some of her songs, she worked with a musician named Porter Grainger. For other songs, she was joined by the well-known bandleader Fletcher Henderson.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1924, Gladys Bryant married a dancer named Arthur Bryson in Manhattan, New York. After her marriage, she did not make any more recordings. By 1930, she was living with her mother in Manhattan. Not much is known about her life after that time. However, it is believed that she appeared on the television show You Bet Your Life in 1952. This show was hosted by the famous comedian Groucho Marx. It is said that on this show, Gladys Bryant became the first person to sing the blues on television, which would have been another important moment in her career.
