Catherine
Annette Hanshaw (October 18, 1901 – March 13, 1985) was one of the first
popular female jazz singers. In the late 1920s she ranked alongside Ethel
Waters, Bessie Smith and the Boswell Sisters. Her short-lived recording career
produced upwards to 250 sides. Annette was often confused for the voice of
Betty Boop - singer Helen Kane.
This petite, shy, introverted girl chose
retirement over fame. It is said that she was more comfortable in the recording
studio amongst the musicians than public appearances. Unlike most performers of
the day, Annette never toured or performed on stage after becoming famous.
For many years
it was believed that Annette had been born in 1910 and began her recording career
shortly before her 16th birthday. However, it has recently come to light that
she was in fact born nine years earlier,
making her 24 at the time of her first commercial recording in September 1926.
Her nephew, Frank W. Hanshaw III, has confirmed 1901 as the date on her birth
certificate.
Her singing
style was relaxed and suited to the new jazz-influenced pop music of the late
1920s. Although she had a low opinion of her own singing, she continued to have
fans because she combined the voice of an ingenue with the spirit of a flapper.
Hanshaw was known as "The Personality Girl," and her trademark was
saying "That's all," in a childish voice at the end of many of her
records.
Catherine
Annette Hanshaw was born at her parent's residence in Manhattan on October 18,
1901. She sang for guests at hotels owned by her father and demoed sheet music
at her family's music store, The Melody Shop, in Mount Kisco, New York. Hanshaw
aspired to be a portrait painter, studying at the National School of Design for
a year. Her professional music career started when she was paid to sing for
society and birthday parties.
She started
singing in 1926 on local radio a couple of known times while visiting in
Florida with her family prior to making her first recording. Her first
commercial recordings “Black Bottom” and “Six Feet of Papa” were made in New
York on September of the same year.
Between
September 1926 and February 1934, she recorded prolifically. From 1926–28 she
recorded for Pathe (her sides were released on both the Pathe and Perfect
labels). Starting in June 1928, she recorded for Columbia; most of these were
issued on their dime store labels Harmony, Diva, Clarion and Velvet Tone. A
handful were also released on their regular price Columbia and OKeh. Although
most were released under her own name, she was renamed Gay Ellis (for
sentimental numbers) and Dot Dare or Patsy Young (for her Helen Kane
impersonations).
Hanshaw's
singing style was relaxed and suited to the jazz-influenced pop music of the
late 1920s and early 1930s. She combined the voice of an ingénue with the
spirit of a flapper.
She recorded
under a number of other pseudonyms which included Ethel Bingham, Marion Lee,
Janet Shaw, and Lelia Sandford. Starting in August 1932, she began recording
for the ARC with her recordings issued on their Melotone, Perfect, Conqueror,
Oriole and Romeo. Her final session, February 3, 1934 was placed on ARC's
Vocalion label.
Hanshaw made
her one and only appearance on film in the 1933 Paramount short Captain Henry's
Radio Show, "a picturization" of the popular Thursday evening radio
program Maxwell House Show Boat, in which she starred from 1932 to 1934.
Having grown
tired of show business, in the late 1930s Hanshaw retired and settled into
married life with her husband, Pathé Records executive Herman "Wally"
Rose. Later in life, in a would-be comeback, she recorded two demo records, but
they were never released.
During the 1970's Annette appeared on a Canadian Broadcast Company radio show called "The Entertainers". The show featured reminisces from famous Columbia recording producer John Hammond, well-known Jazz historian Brian Rust, and some others who knew Annette during her heyday. Several of Annette's songs were played and Annette spoke of the various periods in her life.
During the 1970's Annette appeared on a Canadian Broadcast Company radio show called "The Entertainers". The show featured reminisces from famous Columbia recording producer John Hammond, well-known Jazz historian Brian Rust, and some others who knew Annette during her heyday. Several of Annette's songs were played and Annette spoke of the various periods in her life.
She died of
cancer in 1985 at New York Hospital after a long illness; she was living in
Manhattan at that time. B.(Info mainly Wikipedia)
7 comments:
For “Annette Hanshaw – The Twenties Sweetheart“ go here:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/f42g8e7jwhxrigx/Annette%20Hanshaw.rar
01. Black Bottom
02. Six Feet Of Papa
03. Don't Take That Black Bottom Away
04. Here Or There
05. I Gotta Get Somebody To Love
06. Wistful And Blue
07. What Do I Care
08. Nuthin'
09. I'm Somebody's Somebody Now
10. I Like What You Like
11. Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling
12. Who-oo? You-oo, That's Who!
13. Under The Moon
14. It Was Only A Sun Shower
15. Who's That Knocking At My Door
16. The Song Is Ended
17. Thinking Of You
18. Mine - All Mine
19. There Must Be Somebody Else
20. Get Out And Get Under The Moon
21. We Love It
Annette Hanshaw, along with Ruth Etting was one of the major female singers of the 1920's. This particular disc, has a great selection of songs, beginning with a few from 1926, including the very popular 1920's song "Black Bottom", running through selections from 1927, rounding off with a few in 1928. Taken the date of these tracks, the sound quality of these recordings are brilliant. So if you want to hear Annette Hanshaw, backed by some fine musicians, and ending most of the songs with her catchphrase "That's All", then is the one for you. Highly recommended.
A BIG THAKYOU TO MIJAS @ AMC2 FOR ORIGINAL LINK
Like wow! I can't wait... I am guessing that a couple of my recent favorites on the "retro" side of things model their work on Anette Hanshaw... who I never heard of 'til this very moment. Thank You!!
I've loved Annette Hanshaw for 10 years, more or less, since her old records were used for the soundtrack of Sita Sings The Blues (easy to find and free to download or stream). Thanks for keeping her recordings alive. Happy Birthday.
Thanks for this, and all your great music!
Thanks for rekindling an old flame. I just listened to Get Out And Get Under The Moon and heard again the qualities that initially attracted me to Annette's work; an easy going, almost conversational approach to a song, unmannered and unpretentious, with a touch of vulnerability. A winning combination. Thanks for sharing this. (BTW, have you ever listened to Lee Morse?)
Hello Texas Knight! Yes I do know of Lee Morse and due to your comment I will be posting a "Vaults" article about this great singer-songwriter and actress on her birthday 30th November...so watch this space.
Regards Bob
Coops due to work commitments I couldn't post Lee Morse on the day, but do not despair come back in 12 months time.
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