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Florence Mills: Harlem Jazz Queen (Studies in Jazz)

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Contributing to Scarecrow's 'Studies in Jazz' series comes Bill Egan's Florence Mills: Harlem Jazz Queen, a unique biography of the African American entertainer of the 1920s from childhood to her death at age 31. Mills' achievements opened the doors for generations of black female stars from Lena Horne to modern times, and chapters recount how Mills was able to break through the white barriers to become a star in her own right. She even became famous enough to be listed in a New York Times list of dignitaries sailing aboard a vessel, and helped redefine the world of entertainment as a whole, which was formerly divided between 'black' and 'white' entertainment.

Suffice it to say that there are few individuals who have ever heard of Florence Mills, and that includes some resolute jazz enthusiasts. But through much persistence Bill Egan has changed that and has illuminated our awareness of this entertainment legend. Irish-born Egan, while doing research on jazz great Duke Ellington, came across Florence Mills' name, the woman who inspired Duke's recording of 'Black Beauty'; his tribute to Florence, a fellow Washingtonian.

She was born Florence Winfrey on January 25, 1896 in a middle class section of Washington, D.C., but hard times forced the family to move to a less desirable section of the city known as Goat Alley. Florence began her exodus from the Alley at the tender age of three and by the time she was seven, she was supplementing the family's income by performing in the bordellos where her mother did laundry. Florence and her two sisters traveled the globe displaying their talents and gaining prominence in a world dominated by people who were different, by race and by gender. They did the chitterling circuit long before it was given the name.

Florence opened the door for generations of female stars as she was able to break through white barriers. She performed before crowned dignitaries in Europe and earned the title 'darling of the diplomats', was listed in the New York Times as a dignitary herself, and helped to redefine the entertainment world. Florence's untimely death in 1927 created an unexpected outpouring of grief. Although she was never recorded, and for the most part was nearly forgotten decades later, she is an icon in show business. To understand the history of the industry, from Bert Williams to popular culture, you need to understand how Florence Mills changed the rules.

HARLEM JAZZ QUEEN explores the association between Florence and the early beginnings of jazz and ragtime, her keen intelligence and strong social conscience, and her phenomenal success as the first black international female superstar. It also documents her association with classical music with noted composers William Grant Still and Constant Lambert. This is a history that was too long coming, but one that will captivate and enlighten readers.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers