Ada 'Bricktop' Smith -St Louis Blues (1970)

[@hereforit2347]

I met her at a bank in Los Angeles. I had to still be in my teens. I have always loved jazz so I knew who she was.

[@MrDaveRotherham]

I've been reading about Bricktop and came across this video - how great to see her perform and recount her incredible career. I love how her accent slips from American to English, Italian and French. A truly cosmopolitan woman! 😆

[@annamc8228]

You betta sing, honey! I love her stage personality!

[@theconradroom]

This formidable lady was Josephine Baker's mentor when the latter arrived in Paris in the 1920's. Cole Porter wrote "Miss Otis Regrets" for her.

[@monitortop]

No, he wrote it for Elsa Maxwell.

[@ambersmith5596]

She knew Josephine baker?? 😮😮😮

[@dddddadadad1796]

Her biography was so amazing!!!!!!!!! I’ve loved Bricky forever! She’s such a legend

[@bluesfiddle]

Wonderful. This is important information. Ada Smith brought a lot of people together.

[@josephvalenti7268]

She knew all the famous celebrities, singers, composers, of the International Set! She went to Mexico City during the war years! Her and Mabel Mercer started out together!

[@brianc4949]

I'm here because Langston Hughes, in The Big Sea, mentions working with her in a Paris nightclub. Well, working, he was a dishwasher...

[@ambersmith5596]

What a gem!! Thanks for posting!! Just learned of this woman and had to look her up

[@scorpiogirl39]

You betta sang Miss Bricktop!

[@Banjoikey]

Brickie !!! Thanks so much for sharing this xxx

[@dddddadadad1796]

BRICKTOP!!!!!!! OMG

[@msbcheet6041]

Great footage

[@myqueenimagivemydumassopin6841]

Who was the lady at the end?

[@AMindWithNoCeiling]

Ms. Thelma Carpenter. Another pioneering performer and legend. She also played "Ms. One" in the Wiz.

[@geolloyd1351]

Bobby Short on PIANO looks like

[@monitortop]

Everything but talent.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

She's about 75 here, so she's probably singing differently from when she was about 25.

[@42Laj]

She may not have been a great singer, but she was a very smart and shrewd business woman and networker.