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Maxine Sullivan
Marietta Williams
Vocalist, Trombonist, Radio Host, Nurse, Actress
(1911 - 1987)
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Maxine Sullivan enjoyed a career which lasted throughout her lifetime. Her first hit was the unlikely “Loch Lomond” (1937), sung to a swinging arrangement by bandleader Claude Thornhill. Consequently, she recorded more folk and novelty tunes, but her real success was as an engaging club performer and interpreter of standards. She also had a radio show with her husband, John Kirby, in 1940, the only program that aired black entertainers nationally.
Sullivan appeared on Broadway in Swingin’ the Dream (1939), where she and Louis Armstrong introduced “Darn that Dream.” She also appeared in the films Going Places (1938) and St. Louis Blues (1939) and toured with Benny Carter in 1941. Her career was interrupted by two short retirements, during which time she worked as a nurse, but she returned to performing in 1958, playing trombone and flugelhorn as well as singing.
Sullivan made several fine recordings with saxophonist Scott Hamilton in the ‘80s, proving that there is no limit to what a swinging young lady of 75 can accomplish.
- Sandra Burlingame |
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