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Valaida Snow

The tale of Valaida Snow is dramatic, a beautiful gifted entertainer, singer, dancer, arranger, and jazz trumpeter who succeeded against all odds. Valaida’s exceptional talent, determination and charm brought her international fame. Her talents nearly unlimited, a savvy business woman who spoke seven languages, she blew hot jazz trumpet in the style of Louis Armstrong. Billed as “Queen of the Trumpet” she appeared in some of the top theatrical productions of her day. The toast of Paris and London in the early 1930s she wrote and recorded her theme song, “High Hat, Trumpet and Rhythm.” Valaida Snow’s life is an inspiring tale of determination and spirit

Valaida Snow was born into a family of musicians: Her mother taught Valaida, her sisters Alvaida and Hattie, and her brother, Arthur Bush, how to play multiple instruments. Valaida and all her siblings became professional musicians. Valaida was taught by her mother to play cello, bass, violin, banjo, mandolin, harp, accordion, clarinet, saxophone and trumpet. It was natural for Valaida to be an entertainer: at the young age of fifteen, she was already a recognized professional singer and trumpet player. While Valaida Snow's beauty attracted audiences, it was her incredible talent as a jazz trumpeter which truly captivated them. She obtained the nickname, "Little Louis" due to her Louis Armstrong-like playing style. Pianist Mary Lou Williams wrote about her: "She was hitting those high C's just like Louis. She would have been a great trumpet player if she had dropped the singing and dancing, and concentrated on the trumpet".

Valaida toured and recorded frequently in the United States, Europe and the Far East both with her own bands and other leaders' bands. During the years 1930 through 1950 Alvaida could be seen with various jazz greats: With her sister, Lavaida, a singer, she performed in the Far East with drummer Jack Carter's jazz octet. She took part in a session with Earl Hines in New York in 1933 and also performed with Count Basie, Teddy Weatheford, Willie Lewis and Fletcher Henderson at various places and times.

As an actress, she debuted on Broadway in 1942 as Mandy in Eubie Blake and Noble Sissles's musical ‘Chocolate Dandies.’ Later, she appeared on Broadway in Ethel Waters' show, ‘Rhapsody in Black’ in 1934; she appeared in the London production of ‘Blackbirds’ in 1935 with Johnny Claes and also in its Paris production. She could be seen in ‘Liza’ across Europe and Russia in the 30's and was also in the Hollywood films ‘Take It from Me’ in 1937, ‘Irresistible You,’ ‘L'Alibi’ and ‘Pieges’ in 1939 with her husband Ananais Berry. Valaida Snow shocked people in the USA, with her eccentric behavior. She traveled in an orchid colored Mercedes, dressed in an orchid suit, her pet monkey rigged out in an orchid jacket and cap, with the chauffeur in orchid as well.

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Radio & Podcasts

High Hat, Trumpet and Rhythm - Celebrating Foremother Valaida Snow Plus New Releases From Tuba Skinny, Esthesis Quartet & More

Read "High Hat, Trumpet and Rhythm - Celebrating Foremother Valaida Snow Plus New Releases From Tuba Skinny, Esthesis Quartet & More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast presents new releases from Tuba Skinny, Esthesis Quartet (featuring Elsa Nilsson, Tina Raymond, Dawn Clement and Emma Dayhuff , Randy Napoleon and As Is with birthday shoutouts to trumpeter Valaida Snow, guitarist Memphis Minnie, saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, vocalists Dakota Staton, Ann Hampton Callaway, Ian Shaw, and Amanda Eckery, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of pandemic so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Celebrating Jazz Geminis Valaida Snow and Memphis Minnie Among Others

Read "Celebrating Jazz Geminis Valaida Snow and Memphis Minnie Among Others" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


The first hour celebrates the birthdays of Valaida Snow, known as “Little Louis" and “Queen of the Trumpet," a nickname given to her by W.C. Handy — a virtuoso jazz entertainer who became an internationally celebrated talent. Also in the spotlight is Memphis Minnie, a blues guitarist, and songwriter married to Joe McCoy and later Ernest Lawlars, whose recording career lasted for over three decades . Other birthday shoutouts include vocalists Dakota Staton and Ian Shaw, saxophonist Jordan Pettay, pianist ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Valaida Snow's birthday today!

The tale of Valaida Snow is dramatic, a beautiful gifted entertainer, singer, dancer, arranger, and jazz trumpeter who succeeded against all odds. Valaida’s exceptional talent, determination and charm brought her international fame. Her talents nearly unlimited, a savvy business woman who spoke seven languages, she blew hot jazz trumpet in the style of Louis Armstrong. Billed as “Queen of the Trumpet” she appeared in some of the top theatrical productions of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Valaida Snow's birthday today!

The tale of Valaida Snow is dramatic, a beautiful gifted entertainer, singer, dancer, arranger, and jazz trumpeter who succeeded against all odds. Valaida’s exceptional talent, determination and charm brought her international fame. Her talents nearly unlimited, a savvy business woman who spoke seven languages, she blew hot jazz trumpet in the style of Louis Armstrong. Billed as “Queen of the Trumpet” she appeared in some of the top theatrical productions of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Valaida Snow's birthday today!

The tale of Valaida Snow is dramatic, a beautiful gifted entertainer, singer, dancer, arranger, and jazz trumpeter who succeeded against all odds. Valaida’s exceptional talent, determination and charm brought her international fame. Her talents nearly unlimited, a savvy business woman who spoke seven languages, she blew hot jazz trumpet in the style of Louis Armstrong. Billed as “Queen of the Trumpet” she appeared in some of the top theatrical productions of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Valaida Snow's birthday today!

The tale of Valaida Snow is dramatic, a beautiful gifted entertainer, singer, dancer, arranger, and jazz trumpeter who succeeded against all odds. Valaida’s exceptional talent, determination and charm brought her international fame. Her talents nearly unlimited, a savvy business woman who spoke seven languages, she blew hot jazz trumpet in the style of Louis Armstrong. Billed as “Queen of the Trumpet” she appeared in some of the top theatrical productions of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


2

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Jazz Musician of the Day: Valaida Snow

Source: Michael Ricci


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