Ruble Blakey
Ruble Blakey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ruble Maxwell Blakey April 4, 1911 Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 1992 (aged 81) Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Other names | Rubel Blakey, Skid Blakey |
| Occupations | Vocalist, emcee, actor, dancer, radio announcer |
| Style | Jazz music, swing music |
| Spouse | Merle Laviscount Jones (m. 1949) |
| Children | 1, Marla Blakey |
Ruble Maxwell Blakey (April 4, 1911 – May 13, 1992) was an American singer,[1] emcee,[2][3] dancer, and actor. He appeared in two films, and was part of several albums. He was known for jazz and swing music in the 1930s and 1940s.
Early life
Ruble Blakey was born on April 4, 1911, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[4] He was the son of Mrs. Sadie Blakey,[5] and was raised in Chicago, Illinois.[4] In childhood he was a chorus member.[4]
Career
Blakey started his career in the 1930s as a dancer in a Chicago cabaret. In 1932, he was part of the touring Harlem Revue with Jojo Wicks.[6] In the late 1930s he toured the Southern circuit as a singer and emcee.[7][8] Blakey was the emcee for the Swingland Chicago Revue at Swingland Cafe in 1938 when they released the "Doing the Ducky Wucky" musical dance.[9][10][11]
He worked in 1939 as the emcee at the new Moonglow Night Club in Baltimore.[7] He then had several gigs in Chicago's Ritz Lounge, which was owned by one of his cousins. In 1940, he worked at Joe Glaser's famous Grand Terrace Cafe (also known as Sunset Cafe) in Chicago.[12]
Between 1941 and 1945, he was a vocalist with Lionel Hampton and his orchestra and created a number of records with Victor and Decca.[13] In 1946, he recorded on the HUB Records label with Don Byas and his orchestra;[14] and served as the band for the Atlantic City Follies at the Apollo Theatre.[15]
He also worked as a radio announcer on WIND (AM) in Chicago.[4]
Personal life
Blakey had one child, daughter Marla Blakey (born April 26, 1949), a noted choreographer and dancer).[16][17][18] In the 1950s, he relocated to Paris, living there for a few years and working as a talent agent for several jazz musicians.[18] He then returned sometime after back to the United States.
He died on May 13, 1992, in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, at the age of 81.[14] He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in Paris.[18]
Discography
Singles
- Prove It By The Things You Do / I Made a Promise To My Heart, (HUB Records) with the Debutantes[14]
- Gypsy Eyes, with Don Swan and His Music
- The Gypsy (1946) with Don Byas and his orchestra, vocals
- Nancy (1946) with Don Byas and his orchestra
With Lionel Hampton and his orchestra
- Now That You're Mine (1941, Victor), vocals[19]
- Just For You (1941, Decca), vocals[19]
- Southern Echoes / My Wish (1941, Decca), vocals[19]
- Now I Know (1941, Decca), vocals[19]
- Half a Love Is Better Than None (1941, Decca), vocals[19]
- The Music Stopped (1944)
- Your Guess Is As Good As Mine (c. 1944), lyrics
- What's Happenin', Baby?, lyrics
- Give Me Some Skin
- Idaho
- Don't Believe Everything You Dream
Filmography
- Sepia Cinderella (1947)[20]
- Miracle in Harlem (1948)[21]
References
- ^ "4 Femmes With Ruble Blakey". New Pittsburgh Courier. December 1, 1945. p. 17. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Versatile". The Chicago Defender. February 24, 1940. p. 10. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspaper.com.
- ^ "Chicago Society Views Horse Show of Thrills". New Pittsburgh Courier. October 5, 1940. p. 8. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Ruble Blakely To Celebrate". New Pittsburgh Courier. January 17, 1942. p. 21. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Society". The Chicago Defender. July 17, 1920. p. 10.
- ^ "Blakey and Wicks in New Theater Act". The Chicago Defender. March 5, 1932. p. 8. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "To Be New Nightclub Team". The Afro-American. June 17, 1939. p. 10. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Swingland Chicago Revue: Broomfield & Greeley". New Pittsburgh Courier. February 19, 1938. p. 21. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspaper.com.
- ^ Watson, Ted (February 19, 1938). "Swingland Chicago Revue: Broomfield & Greeley". New Pittsburgh Courier. p. 21. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Maestro". The Chicago Defender. January 14, 1939. p. 19. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ^ Sampson, Henry T. (October 30, 2013). Blacks in Blackface: A Sourcebook on Early Black Musical Shows: 2 Volumes. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 636. ISBN 979-8-7651-8512-4.
- ^ "Lionel Hampton's Band In Triumph At Terrace Opening". The Chicago Defender. February 1, 1941. p. 11. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ""Run Little Chillun" Peters on B'Way; Blakey Rejoins Hampton". The Afro-American. September 4, 1943. p. 8. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Ruble Blakey". Discogs. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ "Ruble Blakey Ork to Play For Follies". New Pittsburgh Courier. January 26, 1946. p. 19. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nadler, Holly (July 11, 2017). "At home (for now) with Marla Blakey". The Martha's Vineyard Times. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ "Marla Blakey's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers Video Oral History with Marla Blakey" (PDF). The HistoryMakers.
- ^ a b c d e "Ruble Blakey". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ "Theatres–Night Spots: 'Rochester', Other Stars At Lincoln Friday Night". The California Eagle. October 30, 1947. p. 22. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ""Miracle In Harlem" Part of Regal's Twin Feature Program". The Chicago Defender. July 10, 1948. p. 26. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.