Laura Duncan was an American singer who appeared on stage in the 1930s and 1940s.

Career

Duncan performed the song " Strange Fruit" (music and lyrics by Abe Meeropol) at Madison Square Garden in

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in 1938. Duncan later performed it in

Paul Robeson Paul Leroy Robeson ( ; April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American bass-baritone concert artist, stage and film actor, professional American football, football player, and activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplish ...

's show ''The Negro in American Life'' at the Golden Gate Ballroom in 1941. She received positive reviews for her singing. She appeared in Noël Coward's ''

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'' in 1939. In that revue, she sang "

Mad About the Boy "Mad About the Boy" is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Noël Coward. It was introduced in the 1932 revue ''Words and Music (musical), Words and Music'' by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare. The ...

", which ''Billboard'' predicted would "undoubtedly be the hit of the revue". In 1940, she appeared in the musical revue '''Tis of Thee'' at

Maxine Elliott Maxine Elliott (February 5, 1868 – March 5, 1940) was an American actress and businesswoman. Early life Born Jessie Dermott on February 5, 1868, to Thomas Dermott, a sea captain and Adelaide Hill Dermott, she had a younger sister, actress G ...

in New York, in which she sang "After Tonight"."Legitimate: Plays on Broadway - 'Tis of Thee". ''Variety''. Vol. 140, Iss. 8, (Oct 30, 1940): 56, 58. Via Proquest. Duncan appeared in the 1941 revue ''Talk out Loud'' at Unity House in Forest Park, Pennsylvania. ''Variety'' wrote, "Laura Duncan's masterly presentation of her vocal assignments should cause no doubt in any auditor's mind that here is another click"."Legitimate: Play Out of Town - Talk out Loud." ''Variety''. Los Angeles. Vol. 144, Iss. 3, (Sep 24, 1941): 52. Via Proquest. The show was reviewed more negatively by the '' New York Daily News'' when it reached Broadway. A 1942 performance in a nightclub,

Village Vanguard The Village Vanguard is a jazz club at Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. Originally, the club presented folk music and beat poetry, but it became primarily a jazz ...

, earned her a mixed reception from ''Variety'': "Laura Duncan, colored chanteuse, shows the greatest evidence of inexperience. She has a fine, sweet set of pipes, but must be careful in choice of numbers. She's strong on the blues stuff, but weak on a comedy novelty she tries to sell. One of the 'Adam and Eve' Biblical things, it's strictly the cob, particularly as she does it. Gal also should take greater care in obtaining an attractive hair-do and dress. She looks well-groomed, but too sedate, requiring something more striking. She's a strong possibility, though, with a proper break-in." Duncan appeared in the 1942 revue ''It's About Time'' at the Barbizon-Plaza. "Laura Duncan, a very pretty but inhibited Negro girl, sings and she ndAl Moss do nicely in his song, 'Haunted Heart.'" Duncan performed at nineteenth annual Lenin Memorial Rally at Madison Square Garden again. She sang the song "Dive Bomber, Dive Low". She appeared on two 1944 episodes of the radio program ''Columbia Presents Corwin'': "The Lonesome Train" and "Dorie Got a Medal". Duncan was politically active. She appeared in the revue ''FDR's Bandwagon'' in 1944.Elie, Rudolph Jr. "Legit Revue Urging FDR's Election Meets Plenty Fireworks in Boston." ''Variety''. Los Angeles. Vol. 156, Iss. 5, (Oct 11, 1944): 1, 47. Via Proquest. She participated with

Pete Seeger Peter Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014) was an American folk singer and social activist. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, Seeger also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of the Weavers, notably ...

and others in events associated with the

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campaign in the

1948 United States presidential election The 1948 United States presidential election was the 41st quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 1948. In one of the greatest election upsets in American history, incumbent President Harry S. Truman, the Democr ...

and in the

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movement.

References

External links

*
''I've Got a Right'' - Laura Duncan
on

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Duncan, Laura African-American women singers Year of birth missing Year of death missing