Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Spring 2009 - (Page 48) Earning only two dollars a night, Nellie played at the Dunbar Hotel lounge from eight in the evening until the lounge closed at two in the morning. Often leaving the Dunbar at 2 a.m., she would go to one of the local breakfast clubs where she would play until five or six in the morning to supplement her wages. Nellie’s run at the Dunbar lasted only eight weeks, after which time the Dunbar opted not to continue hiring musical performers. Despite its appeal to the African-American literati and jazz and blues glitterati, Nellie has the distinction of being the only performer who actually worked at the Dunbar. Nellie’s life changed dramatically between 1935 and 1936. Promoting herself only as a jazz pianist, Nellie discovered that playing in lounges required that she sing as well. Having never been a vocalist, Nellie resisted singing at first. Encouraged by the Dunbar Hotel patrons, Nellie eventually acquiesced and began to sing — and sing she did. She recounts her first singing experience in her interview with Berman: In 1947, while living in Los Angeles, Nellie’s son, Talmadge, suggested that his mother should take part in a charity show at Hollywood High School. An executive at Capitol Records heard the broadcast and signed her to the label. 48 LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES\Spring 2009
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