Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Billie Poole

While doing a little research on traditional New Orleans jazz, I came across this great clip of Billie Poole singing "Sugar Blues." I'd never heard of Poole, and a quick Web search turned up almost nothing about her. That's a surprise, since one of the great things about the Internet is that you can usually turn up at least a little bio on almost any musician or singer, no matter how obscure. I can't believe one as gifted as Billie Poole doesn't have a clutch of fans out there somewhere. If any of you know about her, please comment or email me.

I haven't been posting a lot of music lately, and I actually wasn't planning to post this clip, but then I read Julie's post about the Victoria's Secret tv special, and realized that the beauty of Billie Poole is the perfect antidote to that soulless freak show.


5 comments:

chayaruchama said...

This is SOME gorgeous mama ....!

[Glad I saved it for a moment when I could savor it]

BitterGrace said...

Isn't she wonderful? I love that shot of her hands. A friend has been trying to help me get some info about Billie, but so far no luck. She only did a handful of recordings--pity.

Mugsy Peabody said...

Billie Poole and her sister, Betty Gadling, can be reached through the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California, where Dr. Betty is the Musical Minister Emeritis. Here is a wonderful clip from youtube of Billie's voice, which I swear is a reason to live. http://youtu.be/PeFtoQwaC_w

BitterGrace said...

Thank you so much for the info, Mugsy Peabody.Glad to hear good news of Ms. Poole. Blessings to you.

Unknown said...

Good Afternoon, regrettably Billie Poole passed away a few yrs ago I believe 2009. She was 1 of 5children, they were born in Illinois. She along with her 3 sisters were apart of a group called, "Les Dinns." They toured all of Europe, and were a great success. They did modern (for the time) arrangements of Negro Spirituals and some folk songs, performing with many of the big bands and bandleaders of the time. Sadly, her sister Betty Gadling whom Billie was very close to, passed on April 16th of this year. She was the Minister of Music & The Arts at Allen Temple Baptist Church for 35years. Where Billie also sang in the choir, they are real treasures to American Music and will truly be missed. If you get the opportunity go to youtube, and put in "He Brings Joy", by Betty Gadling and you can hear Billie Poole singing a song of inspiration with the same force and assurance as is in this lovely clip. Be Blessed and thank you for sharing this, it's wonderful to know that true appreciation is not measured in a name.