Helen Gross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Gross
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| Birth name | Hellen R. Gross |
| Born | May 1896 Manhattan, New York, United States |
| Died | Unknown |
| Genres | Classic female blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1920s |
| Labels | Ajax |
Helen Gross (born Hellen R. Gross, May 1896 – unknown) was an American classic female blues singer. She was active in the mid-1920s, making many recordings. Some of her well-known songs include "I Wanna Jazz Some More" and "Strange Man".
Helen Gross recorded all her music in New York City. This was between May 1924 and March 1925. She recorded 27 songs in total. These songs were first released by Ajax Records. A music writer named Steve Leggett said her recordings often had unusual sound effects. These effects sometimes made her songs sound like a fun carnival show.
We don't know much about Helen Gross's life outside of her music. The details of her death are also not known.
Her Music Style
Helen Gross recorded for Ajax Records, just like other famous singers such as Rosa Henderson. Her music stood out because of the talented jazz musicians who played with her. These musicians included trumpet players James "Bubber" Miley and Louis Metcalf. She also worked with skilled pianists like Cliff Jackson and Porter Grainger.
Helen Gross was not a typical blues singer. She performed more like a vaudeville artist. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts. Her songs often had unique arrangements that fit this style. This gave a fresh sound to classic blues songs.
Unique Sounds
Her songs sometimes had unusual sound effects. For example, in "Haunted House Blues," it sounds like she is in a funhouse. The song "Ghost Walking Blues" also used spooky Halloween sounds. These effects made the song both strange and exciting.
Her song "I Wanna Jazz Some More" became famous in 1924. This was partly because of a catchy line by songwriter Tom Delaney. A music expert named Joe Davis helped connect artists like Helen Gross with Ajax Records. He also helped them find songs to record.
Recordings and Albums
Helen Gross recorded many songs during her short career. Her recordings are still available today.
- Helen Gross: In Chronological Order 1924–25 (1996). Document Records
See also
- List of classic female blues singers
