SAVOY All Stars Band
Maxine Sullivan |
Singer, Actress
May 13, 1911 – April 7, 1987 (born Marietta Williams) |
Maxine Sullivan began her career in the 1930s singing in her home state of Pennsylvania with the Red Hot Peppers, a band led by her uncle. She also played valve trombone on occasion. She made her first recordings with Claude Thornhill in 1937, leading to becoming a featured singer at New York’s Onyx Club. At this time she was recorded by bassist John Kirby, whom she married in 1938. A Kirby recording of “Loch Lomond” featuring Sullivan became a hit leading to other “folk style” recordings arranged by Thornhill. Louis Armstrong noticed Maxine and she appeared with him in the movie Going Places (1938.)
In 1940, Maxine and her husband had a weekly radio series, the first black jazz stars to do so. Maxine performed with a variety of bands at New York’s hottest jazz spots (Blue Angel, Penthouse, Ruban Bleu, and Village Vanguard.) She explored acting in the CBS series Uptown Jubilee and the stage play, Take a Giant Step (1953.)
In 1956 Sullivan’s tribute album to Andy Razaf marked a change in style, highlighting the music of Fats Waller. Her singing opportunities waned, and in 1958 she worked as a nurse. She rebounded in 1966 with her fourth husband, Cliff Jackson, performing in jazz festivals.
Maxine continued performing until shortly before her death in 1987 and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1979 (My Old Friends.) She was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998.
In 1940, Maxine and her husband had a weekly radio series, the first black jazz stars to do so. Maxine performed with a variety of bands at New York’s hottest jazz spots (Blue Angel, Penthouse, Ruban Bleu, and Village Vanguard.) She explored acting in the CBS series Uptown Jubilee and the stage play, Take a Giant Step (1953.)
In 1956 Sullivan’s tribute album to Andy Razaf marked a change in style, highlighting the music of Fats Waller. Her singing opportunities waned, and in 1958 she worked as a nurse. She rebounded in 1966 with her fourth husband, Cliff Jackson, performing in jazz festivals.
Maxine continued performing until shortly before her death in 1987 and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1979 (My Old Friends.) She was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998.
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