Marie Bryant

Marie Bryant (November 6, 1917 – May 23, 1978) was an American dancer, singer and choreographer, described as "one of the most vivacious black dancers in the United States".

Biography Bryant was born in Meridian, Mississippi, in 1917, moving with her family as a child to New Orleans, Louisiana.

By the age of 10, she was performing impersonations of Josephine Baker at her church. In her teens, Bryant's dance teacher, Mary Bruce, included her in her annual show at the Regal Theater in Chicago. Bryant made her professional debut with Louis Armstrong at the Grand Terrace Cafe in Chicago in 1934, and became a regular singer and dancer in the venue's floor shows. She then performed in Los Angeles with Lionel Hampton, and at the Cotton Club in New York City with Duke Ellington. In 1946, she starred in the musical show Beggar's Holiday, with music by Ellington and lyrics by John LaTouche. The following year, she appeared in London in the musical High Spirits, and performed around Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand. Bryant returned to the US after Rajakumar became ill; he died in 1965.

Partial filmography The Duke is Tops (1938) Bli Blip (1942; soundie) Jammin' the Blues (1944) When Strangers Marry (1944; uncredited) They Live by Night (1948) Tiger by the Tail (1955)