Lovie Austin
ComposerName
Lovie Austin
About
Lovie Austin was a popular pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Austin was a classically-trained pianist who studied music theory at Roger Williams University and Knoxville College. After her studies, Austin toured as a pianist on the Vaudeville circuit. Later, she settled in Chicago, where Austin was a sought after jazz accompanist, who played on albums with Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Ma Rainey, and Ethel Waters. She also was adept at arranging and copywriting songs for publication. She led her own jazz groups, including the Blues Serenaders. Later, noted jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams remarked that Austin was her “greatest influence” and that she was "a fabulous woman and a fabulous musician too.” She said, “I don't believe there's a woman around now who could compete with her. She was a greater talent than many of the men of this period." Lovie Austin shows us that women played pivotal roles in the history of early jazz. Furthermore, her life illustrates that while many believe that jazz stemmed from blues and folk traditions, her experience in earning a formal education and playing on Vaudeville stages influenced her jazz experience.
Role(s)
Composer
Performer
Birth date
September 19, 1887
Death date
July 8, 1972
Lovie Austin was a popular pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Austin was a classically-trained pianist who studied music theory at Roger Williams University and Knoxville College. After her studies, Austin toured as a pianist on the Vaudeville circuit. Later, she settled in Chicago, where Austin was a sought after jazz accompanist, who played on albums with Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Ma Rainey, and Ethel Waters. She also was adept at arranging and copywriting songs for publication. She led her own jazz groups, including the Blues Serenaders. Later, noted jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams remarked that Austin was her “greatest influence” and that she was "a fabulous woman and a fabulous musician too.” She said, “I don't believe there's a woman around now who could compete with her. She was a greater talent than many of the men of this period." Lovie Austin shows us that women played pivotal roles in the history of early jazz. Furthermore, her life illustrates that while many believe that jazz stemmed from blues and folk traditions, her experience in earning a formal education and playing on Vaudeville stages influenced her jazz experience.