Bardu Ali
Encyclopedia
Bardu Ali was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
, USA. He was an American
jazz
and rhythm and blues
singer and guitarist
, and a musical promoter.
He became master of ceremonies
of the bands in which he worked early in his career – Napoleon Zyas's, Leroy Tibbs', and Chick Webb
's. He is credited with persuading Webb to hire Ella Fitzgerald
. After a period leading his own band and touring England with Lew Leslie
's hit show, Blackbirds of 1928
, he returned to the Webb band, taking it over after Webb died. In 1940 he moved to California
, where he became Johnny Otis
's business partner, performing in Otis's band and opening the famous Barrelhouse Club with him. He played an important role in the early career of Charles Brown
and was Redd Foxx
's business manager.
Although it is widely reported that Bardu Ali was born September 23, 1910, he was born in 1906, and in Mississippi.
His older brothers and sister were born in New Orleans, to Ella Blackman, and Moskad Ali. Ella was a New Orleans native, and
Ali was an immigrant from Arabia. There were several children born to this union, and while two of the older sons moved to Galveston, TX, Ella moved to the Bronx, NY with her remaining children, and her sister Fanny. It was in NYC where Bardu (originally spelled Bahadur) fell in love with acting and music. He got involved with the Black cinema in the late 1920s and 30s. Eventually winding up as the front man for the Chick Webb. When Webb died, Bardu eventually formed his own band, and made his way to Los Angeles with his wife Tila. He and his band were the master of ceremonies at the Lincoln theater on Central Avenue. Although Bardu and his wife Tila did not have any children together, he did have a child from another union.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, USA. He was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
singer and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, and a musical promoter.
He became master of ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
of the bands in which he worked early in his career – Napoleon Zyas's, Leroy Tibbs', and Chick Webb
Chick Webb
William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader.-Biography:...
's. He is credited with persuading Webb to hire Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
. After a period leading his own band and touring England with Lew Leslie
Lew Leslie
Lew Leslie was a Broadway writer and producer. Although white, he was the first impressario to present black artists on stage...
's hit show, Blackbirds of 1928
Blackbirds of 1928
Blackbirds of 1928 was a hit Broadway revue with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It contained the songs "Diga Diga Do", the duo's first hit, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", and "I Must Have That Man" all sung by Adelaide Hall....
, he returned to the Webb band, taking it over after Webb died. In 1940 he moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he became Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis is an American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and impresario.He is commonly referred to as The Godfather Of Rhythm And Blues.-Personal life:Otis, the son of Alexander...
's business partner, performing in Otis's band and opening the famous Barrelhouse Club with him. He played an important role in the early career of Charles Brown
Charles Brown (musician)
Charles Brown , born in Texas City, Texas was an American blues singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced blues-club style influenced the development of blues performance during the 1940s and 1950s...
and was Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
's business manager.
Although it is widely reported that Bardu Ali was born September 23, 1910, he was born in 1906, and in Mississippi.
His older brothers and sister were born in New Orleans, to Ella Blackman, and Moskad Ali. Ella was a New Orleans native, and
Ali was an immigrant from Arabia. There were several children born to this union, and while two of the older sons moved to Galveston, TX, Ella moved to the Bronx, NY with her remaining children, and her sister Fanny. It was in NYC where Bardu (originally spelled Bahadur) fell in love with acting and music. He got involved with the Black cinema in the late 1920s and 30s. Eventually winding up as the front man for the Chick Webb. When Webb died, Bardu eventually formed his own band, and made his way to Los Angeles with his wife Tila. He and his band were the master of ceremonies at the Lincoln theater on Central Avenue. Although Bardu and his wife Tila did not have any children together, he did have a child from another union.