Lizzie Miles

Lizzie Miles established herself as a classic blues singer of distinction in the 1920s and later mounted a complete return to performing in the 1950s. Her career began in New Orleans between 1909 and 1911, where she appeared alongside King Oliver, Kid Ory, and Bunk Johnson. For several years she toured the South in minstrel shows while also working theaters. Chicago hosted her from 1918 through 1920; she relocated to New York in 1921 and cut her first records the next year. Between 1922 and 1930 her sessions generally featured lesser-known sidemen, although Louis Metcalf and King Oliver each appeared on two selections, and she cut a pair of duets with Jelly Roll Morton in 1929. She performed with A.J. Piron and Sam Wooding, visited Europe on tour from 1924 to 1925, and remained active in New York from 1926 through 1931. After illness forced a temporary withdrawal, she resumed work by 1935 with Paul Barbarin, joined Fats Waller for a performance in 1938, and made a studio date in 1939. Miles remained away from music between 1943 and 1949, yet launched her comeback in 1950 and, throughout her last ten years, frequently appeared with Bob Scobey or George Lewis.