Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders - Peepin' Blues
  • 12 years ago
Besides for its compositional value, I posted this piece for its enigmatic title. Lovie Austin (née Cora Calhoun, 1887-1972) was a Chicago bandleader, session musician, composer and arranger during the 20s blues era. Her early career was in vaudeville where she played piano and performed in variety acts. Accompanying blues singers was Lovie's specialty, and can be heard on recordings by Ma Rainey, Ida Cox, Ethel Waters and Alberta Hunter. Austin also worked with many other top jazz musicians of the 20s. When the classic blues craze began to wither in the early 30s, she settled into the position of musical director for the Monogram Theater. She worked there for 20 years. After World War II she became a pianist at Jimmy Payne's Dancing School at Penthouse Studios, and performed and recorded occasionally. In 1961 she recorded Alberta Hunter with Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders. This great record was made in 1924. Moreover, any feedback about the weird title is warmly welcomed.