Born: March 15, 1905 | Died: May 7, 1950 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Blues singer Bertha “ Chippie” Hill began her career as a dancer working with Ethel Waters in 1919. She was given the nickname “Chippie” because of her young age and her small size early in her career. During the late 1920's, she began performing with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels as a singer and dancer and toured with them on the Theatrical Owners Booking Association (TOBA) circuit throughout the south. Chippie also began recording in the mid 1920's, working with musicians such as Louis Armstrong.
Chippie continued to record and perform in the New York City area during the early 1930's until the late 1940's. During this time, she established herself as a popular blues and jazz singer with a powerful voice. Bertha Chippie Hill was killed in a hit and run accident in New York City in 1950. She was buried in Chicago, Illinois.
Source: Adam Maroney
