Mary H. Bradford (or Auntie Mary Bradford) was an American blues singer, songwriter, composer, and lyricist. She performed and recorded with Bennie Moten, Ada Brown, and Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra. She emerged alongside the early rise of blues music, with The Call noting in November 1923 that she was one of Kansas City's prominent race artists, credited with creating "first big blues".[2] Bradford was a contra-alto vocalist with a very brief career in music. Her album feature debut was with Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra in 1923. Her second and final album was recorded under the name Auntie Mary Bradford in 1928 and was a solo album.[3]
Mary H. Bradford | |
|---|---|
![Mary Bradford (fourth from left) and Bennie Moten's Orchestra[1]](/wiki/File:Bennie_Moten%27s_Kansas_City_Orchestra,_1923.jpg) Mary Bradford (fourth from left) and Bennie Moten's Orchestra[1] | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Auntie Mary Bradford, Mary Bradford |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1923–1928 |
Career
editSinger
edit- "Waco Texas Blues" – Mary Bradford acc. Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra – September 1923[4]
- "Chattanooga Blues" – Mary Bradford acc. Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra – September 1923[4]
- "Selma Bamma Blues" – Mary Bradford acc. Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra – September 1923[4]
Lyricist/composer
editReferences
edit- ^ "Pages 20 and 21 of Storyville issue 22, April - May 1969. A large photograph of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Band features". Nationaljazzarchive.org.uk. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ Haddix, Chuck (November 23, 1923). "Okeh Records: Ada Brown & Mary H. Bradford". The Call.
- ^ Laird, R (1996). Moanin' low: a discography of female popular vocal recordings, 1920–1933. Greenwood Press. p. 49.
- ^ a b c d e "Mary H. Bradford". Adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved April 22, 2024.