Butler May
American singer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Butler "String Beans" May (August 18, 1894 ā November 17, 1917) was an American vaudeville performer, singer, pianist and comedian. He has been described as "the greatest attraction in African-American vaudeville, the first recognizable blues star," and was known "for his streetwise humor, contortive vernacular dancing, and outrageous blues piano playing."[1] He was said to have been the highest-paid black entertainer in the country at the time of his accidental death at the age of 23, and has been claimed as "the model for Jelly Roll [Morton], at least as a stage entertainer and perhaps even as a blues pianist".[2] No recordings of May exist.
Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...
Butler May | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Butler May Jr. |
Also known as | String Beans "The Elgin Movements Man" |
Born | (1894-08-18)August 18, 1894 Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
Died | November 17, 1917(1917-11-17) (aged 23) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
Genres | Vaudeville, blues |
Occupation(s) | Entertainer, comedian, singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Piano |
Years active | 1909ā1917 |
Close