Ruble Blakey
| Ruble Blakey | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 4, 1911 Warren County, Kentucky |
| 💀Died | May 13, 1992 Oak Bluffs, MassachusettsMay 13, 1992 |
| 💼 Occupation | Actor, singer |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Merle Laviscount Jones (m.1949) |
| 👶 Children | Marla Blakey |
Ruble Blakey (April 4, 1911 – May 13, 1992) was an American actor and singer.
Early life
Ruble Blakey was born on April 4, 1911, in Warren County, Kentucky. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois.[1]
Career
Blakey started his career in the 1930s as a dancer in a Chicago cabaret.[1] He then had several gigs in Chicago's Ritz Lounge, which was owned by one of his cousins.[1] In 1940, he worked at Joe Glaser's famous Grand Terrace Cafe in Chicago. Between 1941 and 1945, he was a vocalist with Lionel Hampton and his orchestra and created a number of records with Victor and Decca.[1] In 1946, he recorded on the HUB label with Don Byas and his orchestra.[1]
Personal life
Blakey had one child, a daughter (Marla Blakey, born April 26, 1949, choreographer and dancer).[2][3][4] In the 1950s, he relocated to Paris, living there for a few years and working as a talent agent for several jazz musicians.[4] He then returned sometime after back to the United States. He died on May 13, 1992, in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, at the age of 81. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in Paris.[4]
Discography
- Prove It By The Things You Do / I Made a Promise To My Heart (with the Debutantes) (HUB Records)[1]
- Gypsy Eyes (with Don Swan and His Music)
- The Gypsy (with Don Byas and his orchestra)[5]
- Nancy (with Don Byas and his orchestra)[5]
With Lionel Hampton and his orchestra[6]
- Now That You're Mine (1941, Victor)
- Just For You (1941, Decca)
- Southern Echoes / My Wish (1941, Decca)
- Now I Know (1941, Decca)
- Half a Love Is Better Than None (1941, Decca)
- What's Happenin', Baby? (lyrics)
- Give Me Some Skin
- The Music Stopped (1944)[7]
- Your Guess Is As Good As Mine (lyrics) (circa 1944)[7]
- Idaho[8]
- Don't Believe Everything You Dream[8]
Filmography
- Sepia Cinderella - 1947
- Miracle in Harlem - 1948
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Ruble Blakey". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ Nadler, Holly (2017-07-11). "At home (for now) with Marla Blakey". The Martha's Vineyard Times. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ "Marla Blakey's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 https://www.thehistorymakers.org/sites/default/files/A2005_191_EAD.pdf
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Don Byas - Classic Don Byas Sessions 1944 - 1946, 2023, retrieved 2026-03-24
- ↑ "Ruble Blakey". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton '44, 2026-01-08, retrieved 2026-03-24
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra - One Night Stand With Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra, 1980, retrieved 2026-03-24
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