Gladys Bentley and Ubangi Club collection

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Gladys Bentley and Ubangi Club collection

circa 1930-1935

http://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hou03370/catalog

Nine photographs include three unpublished images of Bentley at Harlem's Ubangi Club; four images of her backup dancers; and two of unidentified performers, two photos of unidentified performers, though one may be Willie Bryant, the jazz bandleader, vocalist, and disc jockey known as the "Mayor of Harlem.” Ephemera include a drink list, flyer, ticket, and a list in French of popular New York City clubs and restaurants.

1 volume

eng, Latn

Houghton Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 11665950

Houghton Library

Related Entities

There are 1 Entities related to this resource.

Bentley, Gladys, 1907-1960

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65k0grw (person)

Gladys Bentley (1907-1960) was an African American singer and drag performer. Bentley ran away from home at age sixteen, after showing a preference for borrowing her brother's suits and being sent to doctors to assess her behavior. She moved to New York City and started her career performing; when she heard that Harry Hansberry's Clam House on 133rd Street, a gay speakeasies, needed a male pianist, she began performing in men's attire. At the Clam House, Bentley perfected her act and became popu...