Buck Washington

Ford Lee "Buck" Washington (October 16, 1903 – January 31, 1955) was an American vaudeville performer, pianist, and singer. He was best known as half of the duo Buck and Bubbles, who were the first black artists to appear on television, with John W. Bubbles, his performance partner for 40 years. They were so popular that the duo moved to Manhattan, New York City in September 1919. By the late 1920s they were on Broadway. They played together in the Columbia Theater and the Palace, performing with Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, and Danny Kaye. They were on the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931. They also became the first black artists to perform at the Radio City Music Hall. They toured Europe in the 1930s and appeared on television and in films, including Calling All Stars and Cabin in the Sky (1942). The Buck and Bubbles act was represented by Nat Nazarro. In 1927, when Buck and Bubbles were performing at the Sunset Café, Buck developed a working relationship and friendship with Louis Armstrong.

As a pianist, Washington also did sessions with jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong (1930), Bessie Smith (1933), and Coleman Hawkins (1934). In November 1933 Washington played the piano on "Your Mother's Son-In-Law", Billie Holiday's first recording. He also played trumpet, though he only made home recordings on the instrument. He continued working with Bubbles until 1953, and in 1953-1954 worked with Timmie Rogers and Jonah Jones. He died on January 31, 1955, in New York City.