Where was Mildred Bailey born?

Where was Mildred Bailey born?

Tekoa, Washington, United States
Mildred Bailey/Place of birth

Is Mildred Bailey Native American?

Less well known is the fact that Bailey was Native American. Mildred Rinker Bailey was one of the top-selling artists in Depression-era jazz. To most audiences, Bailey looked white. But her mother was Coeur d’Alene Indian and Mildred spent her early years on the family’s farm on the Coeur d’Alene reservation in Idaho.

Was Mildred Bailey African American?

Her name was Mildred Bailey — sometimes called the “Rockin’ Chair Lady,” for her signature song. Bailey went down in history as a white vocalist who helped popularize jazz singing. Except, she wasn’t white. Bailey was half Coeur d’Alene Indian – a fact that received little attention, until recently.

What ethnicity was Mildred Bailey?

Bailey began life on the Coeur d’Alene reservation, the child of a white father and an Indian mother. She first learned music from her mother, a pianist. In about 1913 her family moved to Spokane, and in 1916 her mother died. By age 17 Bailey was on her own.

How did Mildred Bailey influence jazz?

One of the first female singers to make a name for herself in the American pantheon of jazz, Mildred Bailey (1907-1951) managed to capture the subtleties of the era’s African American blues and ragtime music. Bailey early on developed her own unique way to underline the meaning of the words she sang.

Where did Mildred Bailey grow up?

Bailey and her siblings grew up near De Smet, Idaho, on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. Her father played fiddle and called square dances. Her mother played piano every evening and taught her to play and sing.

Who did Mildred Bailey influence?

Bailey early on developed her own unique way to underline the meaning of the words she sang. She performed with some of the finest musicians of the swing era—including Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Coleman Hawkins, and Red Norvo, her husband for most of the 1930s.

What was the name of Mildred Bailey’s mother?

Charles Rinker became a lyricist, and Miles Rinker was a clarinet and saxophone player who later became a booking agent. Bailey was born Mildred Rinker on a farm in rural Tekoa, Washington. Her mother Josephine was a member of the Coeur d’Alene people and a devout Roman Catholic.

What kind of voice did Mildred Bailey have?

Mildred Bailey, original name Mildred Rinker, (born Feb. 27, 1907, Tekoa, Wash., U.S.—died Dec. 12, 1951, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), American singer known for her light soprano voice, clear articulation, and jazz phrasing.

Who was Mildred Bailey of Coeur d’Alene related to?

Bailey was born Mildred Rinker on a farm in rural Tekoa, Washington. Her mother Josephine was a member of the Coeur d’Alene people and a devout Roman Catholic. Bailey’s great-grandfather, Bazil Peone, was a well known head speaker and song leader of the Coeur d’Alene at the turn of the 20th century.

Why was Mildred Bailey hospitalized for a time?

Due to her health, she was hospitalized in 1938, 1943, and 1949. She went into retirement for a time in 1949 on a farm she owned in Poughkeepsie, New York. Often in financial difficulties, she was bailed out on a number of occasions by Bing Crosby.