Lottie Gee facts for kids

Lottie Gee (born Charlotte O. Gee) was an amazing American performer. She was born in Millboro, Virginia, on August 17, 1886. Lottie Gee became famous during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black artists, writers, and musicians created incredible work. She is best known for her role in the 1921 Broadway show Shuffle Along. This show helped start the careers of other famous performers like Josephine Baker and Florence Mills. Lottie Gee passed away in Los Angeles on January 13, 1973.

Lottie Gee's Early Life and Career

Lottie Gee started her career as a dancer. She performed in shows by Aida Overton Walker, a well-known dancer and choreographer. In 1904, Lottie appeared in a show called The Red Moon. After that, she toured the vaudeville circuit. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like singing, dancing, and comedy.

Performing with Dabney's Ginger Girls

In 1910, a composer named Ford Dabney formed several touring groups. He and violinist Willie Carroll created a duet called Dabney's Ginger Girls. Lottie Gee was one half of this duet. She was a dancer and sang soprano. The other performer was Effie King, who was a dancer and sang contralto. Their first show was at Dabney's Theater in Washington, D.C. After that, they traveled and performed in many places.

Broadway Hits and European Tours

Lottie Gee sang the famous song "I'm Just Wild About Harry" in the musical Shuffle Along in 1921. This show was a huge success on Broadway. Later, in 1924, Lottie appeared in another musical called The Chocolate Dandies. The next year, in 1925, she was a featured performer with Chocolate Kiddies. This group went on a tour across Europe, sharing their talents with audiences there.

Forming New Partnerships

Lottie Gee continued to form new performance groups. In 1928, she partnered with Edith Spencer. They called themselves Harlem’s Sweethearts. Later, Allegretti Anderson joined them. The group then became a trio. They were known by several names, including Harmony Trio, the Creole Beauties, and the Three Dark Sisters. In 1927, Lottie Gee was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of her fellow performer, Florence Mills.

Lottie Gee's Marriages

Lottie Gee was married two times during her life.

• From 1913 to 1924, she was married to a pianist named "Peaches" Kyer.
• Later, on October 7, 1967, she married Joseph B. Moy in Los Angeles.

Lottie Gee Remembered

Lottie Gee's life and work continue to be remembered. In 2016, the actress Audra McDonald played the role of Lottie Gee. This was in a show called Shuffle Along, Or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.