Hannah Sylvester facts for kids

Hannah Sylvester was an American blues singer. She was born on January 19, 1903, and passed away on October 15, 1973. Hannah was famous for her "classic female blues" style, which was very popular in the 1920s. People sometimes called her "Harlem's Mae West."

Her Life and Music

Hannah Sylvester was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She started singing and dancing when she was only three years old! Around 1920, she likely moved to New York City.

In the early 1920s, Hannah performed at the Paradise Cafe in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1923, she recorded eleven songs with the famous Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. After that, she traveled around, performing in vaudeville shows throughout the 1920s. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like singing, dancing, and comedy.

In the early 1930s, Hannah appeared in many musical shows in New York City. In 1931, she performed with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra at the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.. This performance was even broadcast on WSJV radio! She also toured with the Snooky Russell Orchestra in 1940.

By the early 1950s, Hannah Sylvester mostly worked outside of music. She worked as a bartender at the Celebrity Club in New York City. Sometimes, she would sing there with the Buddy Tate Band. In 1962, she appeared in a show called X-Glamour Girls in New York City. That same year, she recorded music for Victoria Spivey's Spivey Records.

Hannah Sylvester passed away in New York City on October 15, 1973.