Bea Booze
R&B and jazz singer and guitarist of the 1940s.
Bea Booze, also known as Wee Bea Booze, was an American R&B and jazz singer who gained popularity in the 1940s. She was one of the few female blues guitarists of her era.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Beatrice Booze
- Born
- 23 March 1912
- Birthplace
- Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Died
- 11 November 1986
- Place of death
- Scottsville, New York, United States
- Genre
- R&B, jazz
- Occupation
- Singer, musician
- Instrument
- Vocals, guitar
Facts from the source article.
Biography
Beatrice Booze was born in Baltimore to Phillip and Lydia Booze. She established her singing career in Harlem, New York. Decca Records signed her to cover songs in the style of Lil Green, and she first recorded in 1942 under Sammy Price's direction. Her rendition of "See See Rider Blues," originally recorded by Ma Rainey, reached number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart, leading to her billing as the "See See Rider Blues Girl." Booze played guitar on many of her recordings and in performance. Later in the 1940s, she recorded as a jazz vocalist with the Andy Kirk band, which included trumpeter Fats Navarro, and with a jazz quartet featuring saxophonist George Kelly and organist Larry Johnson. She retired from music in the early 1950s, settling in Baltimore and later in Scottsville, New York, though she recorded with Sammy Price in 1962. She died in Scottsville in 1986.
Confusion with Muriel Nichols
For undocumented reasons, producer J. Mayo Williams released a version of "See See Rider" sung by Muriel Nichols on his Harlem label in 1945, crediting it to "Muriel (Bea Booze) Nichols." Nichols, born in Philadelphia in 1908, was a different singer. This led to the false belief, reported in many sources, that Booze's real name was Muriel Nichols. However, the 1920 US census lists Booze as a seven-year-old child born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 23, 1912.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Bea Booze born?
Bea Booze was born on 23 March 1912 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
When did Bea Booze die?
Bea Booze died on 11 November 1986 in Scottsville, New York, United States.
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