Musicians
2603
The second of two interviews in which Mr. Bluitt discusses growing up in rural TX, segregation and racial violence, early musical life, touring musician, music in the family, conversion experience, life in the church, directing the Bourgard School of Arts, establishing the youth choir, life in Russell.
These and other interviews were conducted by the Louisville Story Program and collaboratively edited with the participants authors between 2020 and 2023. The culmination of this collaborative work is the documentary book, “If You Write Me A Letter, Send It Here: Voices of Russell in a Time of Change.” This anthology of nonfiction documents the rich layers of history and cultural heritage in the Russell area of west Louisville, a neighborhood whose history is centrally important to the Black experience in Louisville.
2511
Cross talks about her work with Billy Goat Strut Review, transitioning to DJ-ing and making electronic music, issues in the Louisville music scene and the role of race and gender in it.
1196
A native of Louisville who has achieved some notoriety as a jazz musician, Helen Humes discusses her childhood and parents; Bessie Allen's Sunday School at Ninth and Magazine Street in Louisville, the childhood training ground for many local jazz musician
977
Mr. Key was a musician. He was born in Louisville but really launched his career in Chicago before touring as a singer. In this interview, he discusses his career, including the stint he did in the U.S. Army in Asia and Europe. He also discusses the music "scene" in Louisville in the middle of the twentieth century, beginning with the nightclubs that were open in the 1920s-1940s, under segregation, and including an assessment of the clubs hosting live music in the 1970s. Mr. Key also assesses the local talent, and discusses the difficulty of making it as a performer in Louisville.
603
Lyon, a long time professor of brass and music theory at the University of Louisville School of Music, recalls changes within the school and at the University from the time he came in 1938 until his retirement in 1985. During the 1938-1958 years, he headed the University's bands, including the marching band. He has several interesting stories from that experience. He also discusses his role as part-time pastor of Louisville area Churches of Christ from 1943 on.
2513
Samples talks about her musical background and influences, her work with Girls Rock Louisville, challenges she has encountered being a female musician in Louisville.
