Willie Bryant facts for kids
William Stevens Bryant (born August 30, 1908 – died February 9, 1964) was a talented American jazz musician. He was a bandleader, a singer, and a disc jockey. People knew him as the "Mayor of Harlem" because of his importance in the community.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
William Bryant was born in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, he tried to learn the trumpet, but it wasn't his strongest talent.
His first job in entertainment was dancing. In 1926, he joined the famous Whitman Sisters Show. For several years, he performed in different vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts.
In 1934, he even appeared in a show called Chocolate Revue. He performed alongside the legendary singer Bessie Smith.
Leading a Big Band
In 1934, William Bryant started his very own big band. A big band is a large group of musicians who play jazz music. Many famous musicians played in his band over the years.
Some of these talented artists included Teddy Wilson, Cozy Cole, Johnny Russell, and Benny Carter. Other members were Ben Webster, Eddie Durham, Ram Ramirez, and Taft Jordan.
His band recorded music six times between 1935 and 1938. William Bryant himself sang on 18 of the 26 songs they recorded.
Later Career and Legacy
After his big band stopped performing, William Bryant explored other interests. He worked as an actor in different productions. He also became a popular disc jockey, playing music on the radio.
In 1945, he recorded some R&B music. He then led another big band from 1946 to 1948.
In 1949, he hosted a TV show called Uptown Jubilee. This show featured only Black performers. It was a variety show that aired on CBS-TV for a short time.
During the 1950s, he became the main host, or emcee, at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Apollo Theater was a very important place for Black artists.
William Bryant passed away from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, on February 9, 1964.
See also
In Spanish: Willie Bryant para niños
