in The Blackwoman in America 557 Words

HOMEMAKING FOR THE BLACKWOMAN JOURNAL – FEATURE: CLORA “FLORA” ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿต๏ธ๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿชท๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒนBRYANT

ุจุณู… ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุงู„ุฑุญู…ุงู† ุงู„ุฑุญูŠู…

CLORA “FLORA”๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒบ๐ŸŒท๐Ÿชท๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿต๏ธ๐Ÿ’ BRYANT

Born May 30, 1927, in Denison, TX, Clora began her career in music imitating the piano playing, singing and dancing she viewed in the Black movies, her father took her and two older her brothers to.

She picked up her older brother’s trumpet while attending Dennison’s High School for Black people and became a member of the Marching Band; proving to be so proficient that she won music scholarships to both Bennett and Oberlin Colleges. Opting instead to remain in Texas and attend Houston’s HBCU Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University because of its All-Girl Swing Band, the PRAIRIE VIEW CO-EDS.

The Summer of 1945 saw The Prairie View Co-Eds touring throughout the entire state of Texas, leading to national gigs, highlighted by an appearance at the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City.

Although a lead soloist at Prairie View, Clora decided to relocate with her parents and family to study at The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in late 1945.

There, she was introduced to the Bourgeoning Be-Bop scene, by her friend, trombonist and arranger, MELBA LISTON, and mixed her sound right in with the other players, specifically THE GENRE CO-FOUNDER and PIONEER, THE LEGENDARY JOHN “DIZZY” GILLESPIE.

Trombonist and Arranger, Melba Liston introduced Clora and John, shown above while on tour in Africa.

In the Summer of 1946 Clora joined the INTERNATIONAL SWEETHEARTS OF RHTYTHM, giving her enough credentials to qualify for a cabaret (union) card and like so many other musicians and entertainers, dropped out of school to devote herself to JAZZ.

John (“Diz”) offered her the opportunity to perform with his band and also served as a mentor for the remainder of his life. However, I don’t think she ever played in his all-male band because I searched but could not find any records, videos or liner notes of them performing together.
I heard her speak at The Central Avenue Jazz Festival and she said that while she and Louis were both performing in Vegas, he came to hear and view her set! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿ˜ฏ
SHE RECORDED ONE ALBUM AS BANDLEADER ON THE MODE RECORD LABEL. AGAINST HER WISHES, THE LABEL INSISTED SHE SING ON THE ALBUM. PROBABLY TRYING TO APPEAL TO AN AUDIENCE, WHO PREFER VOCALS TO INSTRUMENTALS. WHICH IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, RUINED HER ALBUM. ON THE TRUMPET, SHE IS “AS GOOD AS ANY MAN” OR BETTER!!!! CHECK HER PERFORMING LIVE ON THIS BLOG…
Clora Bryant: Jazz Trumpeter “As Good As Any Man”

In 1989, Clora accepted Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s invitation to play five dates in the U.S.S.R., becoming the first female jazz musician to tour the Communist nation.

After which, at 62 years, she retired her trumpet and returned to vocals and lecturing as a pioneer and groundbreaking trailblazer for Black female musicians.

TO READ HER SIX-HOUR WRITERS PROJECT INTERVIEW CLICK HERE

TO READ ANOTHER BLOG ON OUR SISTER, CLORA, EXPERTLY WRITTEN AND COMPLETE WITH VIDEO FOOTAGE OF CLORA BLOWING HER HORN, BY OUR OTHER SISTER ZEINAB, CLICK HERE!!!

What do you think?