Jazz Musician. She trained locally as a classical pianist and worked in her father's pharmacy before deciding to move to England in 1946 so she could train at London's Royal Academy of Music. Finding work was difficult, so she began spending her nights playing jazz in local clubs. Her fame as a ragtime pianist grew and in 1951 she signed a recording contract with DECCA records. Her music exploded as she became the first black million-selling recording artist in Britain. She was in great demand for both personal and television appearances. One of her most popular stage routines was to begin playing classical music on a grand piano before moving over to an old battered upright piano and performing some of her hits such as "Black and White Rag" or "Poor People of Paris." She was known as the "Queen of the Ivories." In the late 1950s, the rise of rock and roll began to take a toll on her career. She moved to Australia, where she once again focused on playing classical music. There her career was revived as she became popular touring with various symphony orchestras.
Jazz Musician. She trained locally as a classical pianist and worked in her father's pharmacy before deciding to move to England in 1946 so she could train at London's Royal Academy of Music. Finding work was difficult, so she began spending her nights playing jazz in local clubs. Her fame as a ragtime pianist grew and in 1951 she signed a recording contract with DECCA records. Her music exploded as she became the first black million-selling recording artist in Britain. She was in great demand for both personal and television appearances. One of her most popular stage routines was to begin playing classical music on a grand piano before moving over to an old battered upright piano and performing some of her hits such as "Black and White Rag" or "Poor People of Paris." She was known as the "Queen of the Ivories." In the late 1950s, the rise of rock and roll began to take a toll on her career. She moved to Australia, where she once again focused on playing classical music. There her career was revived as she became popular touring with various symphony orchestras.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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