Francis Leon

Francis Leon

male
dancer, minstrel, female impersonator, Prima donna, mulatto, blackface…Blackfaceminstrelperformer, minstrel show
Francis Leon was a blackface minstrel performer best known for his work as a female impersonator. He was largely responsible for making the prima...
Dan Emmett

Dan Emmett

male, deceased (1904)
Songwriter, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, American, Blackface minstrel songwriter, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, from Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Daniel Decatur "Dan" Emmett (October 29, 1815 - June 28, 1904), was an American songwriter and entertainer.
Jimmie Rodgers

Jimmie Rodgers

male, deceased (1933)
American country singer-songwriter, America's Blue Yodeler, The Father of Country Music, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, Busker, country music
Jimmie Rodgers (September 8, 1897 -- May 26, 1933) known as The Singing Brakeman and America's Blue Yodeler was the first country music superstar,...
Bob Wills

Bob Wills

male, deceased (1975)
country musician, American country singer-songwriter, From Fort Worth, Texas, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, country singer
James Robert (Bob) Wills (March 6, 1905 - May 13, 1975) was an American country musician, songwriter, and big band leader.
Joel Sweeney

Joel Sweeney

male, deceased (1860)
Songwriter, African American, stage actor, singer, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, banjo…minstrel show, minstrel, Blackface minstrel songwriter, blackface
Joel Walker Sweeney, also known as Joe Sweeney, was a musician and early blackface minstrel performer. Born to farming family in Buckingham County,...
Billy Whitlock

Billy Whitlock

male, deceased (1878)
Songwriter, from New York City, circus, Circus performer, stage actor, comedian…Blackfaceminstrelperformer, minstrel show, minstrel, Blackface minstrel songwriter, blackface
William M. "Billy" Whitcock was an American blackface performer. He began his career in entertainment doing blackface banjo routines in circuses...
Al Jolson

Al Jolson

male, deceased (1950)
musician, Jewish person, tom jones, actor-singer, death by myocardial infarction, Asa "Al Jolson" Yoelson…Blackfaceminstrelperformer, Vaudeville performer, performer
Al Jolson was a highly acclaimed American singer, comedian and actor of Jewish heritage whose career lasted from 1911 until his death in 1950. He...
Billy Kersands

Billy Kersands

male, deceased (1915)
African American, comedian, dancer, singer, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, drummer…minstrel show, blackface
Billy Kersands was an African American comedian and dancer. He was the most popular black comedian of his day, best known for his work in blackface...
Charles Hicks

Charles Hicks

male, deceased (1902)
African American, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, manager, minstrel show, minstrel, Advance Man…Blackface minstrel manager, blackface
Charles Barney Hicks was an African American advance man, manager, performer, and owner of blackface minstrel troupes composed of African American...
Frank Brower

Frank Brower

male, deceased (1874)
from New York City, Circus performer, Blackfaceminstrelperformer, nostalgia, percussionist, minstrel show…Blackface minstrel songwriter, blackface
Frank Brower was an American blackface performer active in the mid-19th century. He began his career doing blackface performances in circuses and...