Have you been curious about the major artists that contributed to the period of Harlem Renaissance with the African American artists, including musicians and dancers, spreading their magic of jazz and unique entertainment styles that became unique to the 1920’s era?
Let us give you the Glimmery and jazzy singer and artist of the early to mid-1900s known as Adelaide Hall and everything the 1900s female artist achieved!
| Adelaide Hall Profile Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 20, 1901 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, NY, USA |
| Death Anniversary | November 7, 1993 |
| Place of Death | London, UK |
| Full Name | Adelaide Louise Hall |
| Profession | Singer, Artist, Dancer |
| Cultural Movement | Harlem Renaissance |
| Mother | Elizabeth Hall |
| Father | William Hall |
| Husband | Bertram Hicks |
Adelaide Hall Early Life 1901 – 1902
Hall was born in the beginning of the 1900 era as she took birth in the heart of New York and got her national identity as an American. She was born to William Hall and Elizabeth Hall, where her father was a pianist teacher at the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, NY.
Much of her earlier and pre-teen eras is not documented, and only the most highlighted events are mentioned in history. As she grew up it is not confirmed where she completed her secondary and high school graduation. Hall joined the Pratt Institute in her hometown, NY, to pursue her higher studies where her father taught too.
However, in the year 1917, her father tragically died, leaving behind his two daughters, Adelaide and Evelyn Hall, as well as his wife when the world was also going through the First World War.
Now, the years that followed as a young teenage girl were filled with another tragic event as Hall lost her one and only sister, Evelyn, to Pneumonia in the year 1920 as the sicknesses were quite common in that period with little access to treatment.
Adelaide Hall’s husband, Bertram Hicks, came shortly into her life as he was a British sailor who had an eye for talent and beauty. They both tied the knot and had a successful married life. Bertram Hicks opened clubs in NY and later on in Paris, where Hall performed with other artists till Hicks’s death.
Adelaide Hall Career Year 1920 – 1993
As Hall transitioned into the 1920,1920’s little did she know how her identity was going to flourish to heights few could dream of in those times.
Adelaide Hall’s achievements are a multitude as she grew into a professional artist who entertained and made a name for herself in the iconic period of the Harlem Renaissance, which is a significantly known period for the era of jazz music and dances that became the essence of entertainment in that period.
Hall went on to perform in the black musical shows that were happening in the 1920s1920’s with the African American voices coming at the front with their silky smooth voices in a low tone, which the American people greatly enjoyed.
She got her name recognized as she sang in some renowned musicals like Shuffle Along and Runnin Wild on Broadway, NY. Then, as her voice rained the magic on stage with her powerful presence and black beauty representation, in the year 1925, Adelaide Hall sailed onwards to Europe tour as she got cast in the Chocolate Kiddies cast and showed the talent of Black American artists all over European countries.
Adelaide Hall Musical Performances
As Hall returned from tour getting the vast outlook of the world and spreading her name there, she got selected for numerous Broadway musicals back in NY like “My Magnolia 1926”. She then toured different US states out of NY to perform with the group of Tan Town Topics songs.
She made her distinctive mark as a talent and entertainment artist in the Lafayette Theatre, which is one of the first Harlem theaters.
As she picked up the new style of performances with fellow female artists like Chic Collins, Lottie Gie, etc, viewers and attendees loved the artistic, pretty, and sultry voices and movements of Adelaide Hall and the girls as they sang jazz and blues.
By 1927, Hall was a name mentioned in all big newspapers like “Exhibitors Herald” for her unique style of singing called “Squagel.”
Adelaide Hall Recordings
In the same year as 1927, when she had already made a huge presence all over NY and beyond, Hall got the chance to perform various recordings with Duke Ellington. These included some of her famous recorded songs like “The Blues I love To Sing”, “I Must have That man”, “Baby,” and “Creole Love Call,” which became the catalyst to push the name of both Adelaide Hall and Duke Ellington to greater heights and popularity unknown before as it hit the billboard song charts 1928.
Similarly, in the same year, Hall also became cast in the hit Broadway show, Blackbirds of 1928! This became so popular that this Broadway show with her song performances, “I can’t give you anything but love, baby” and “Bandanna Babies,” amongst others. This show of hers was advertised in Europe, where the likes of Parisian fans already appreciated her.
1930s Hit Recordings
Adelaide Hall, after much prestige and name, went on to perform her world tour concert, where she performed and entertained her fans far and beyond. She also hired a blind pianist, Art Tatum, amidst this tour, and as she returned to the USA, she released new song recordings of her like “You Gave Me Everything But Love,” amongst others, with Tatum being her lead pianist. Amongst the big South and North American concert tours and performances.
Hall also performed in the prestigious new openings of show halls like the Cotton Club Parade and Apollo Theatre.
Career In Europe
Hall afterward moved onwards towards performing and grew in a career in European countries like France as her husband opened a nightclub in Paris in 1935. After many performances in orchestras and being featured in the BBC Radio, Hall and her husband moved their life to the heart of England, the city of London. Here, Hall moved to greater heights as she performed musicals at the Royal Theatre, London.
She was so acclaimed and attended by British fans that her heart stuck there, and she spent her life in London as her last home city till death. She is also notably acknowledged for her performances and dedication to bringing joy to World War 2 soldiers as the war struck in the 1940s.
Adelaide Hall recalled many times later how she took great risks during the second world war to tour troops all over Europe and perform for the wounded soldiers in dire conditions.
She is notably known for being the black artist who toured to perform and sing for the WW2 soldiers.
Adelaide Hall Death
Near her time of death, as she crossed the age of 80’s, Hall was still up and active as she had continued releasing songs and being featured in the BBC radio station recordings. She was highly revered in Britain and America and all over Europe.
In 1990, Hall also appeared in a documentary made on her life as she appeared on Britain’s television channel 4. In 1992, Hall toured her national country, America, one last time, where she made quite some memorable appearances.
On November 7, 1993, Adelaide Hall died of natural causes, and as per her wishes, her dead body was taken to her home city, New York, where her funeral was conducted. Hall is now buried beside her mother in the cemetery of the evergreens in Brooklyn, NY.
