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Bubbles, John W.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1902 - 1986

Biographical History

John W. Bubbles (1902-1986) was an American vaudeville singer, performer, entertainer and dancer.

John W. Bubbles was born John William Sublett in Louisville, Kentucky on February 19, 1902. As a youth, he met and formed a partnership with Ford L. "Buck" Washington in Indianapolis and performed as "Buck and Bubbles." They had many important appearances such as being the first black artists to appear in the Radio City Music Hall and it may be said that they were the first black artists performing live on television.

Bubbles is known as the father of "rhythm tap", which is a style of tap dance that works with the improvisatory style of jazz because it allowed for more rhythmic freedom. In 1935 Bubbles was chosen the play the role of Sportin' Life in the opera Porgy and Bess, but he only occasionally played the role. Some later life appearances Bubbles had included touring the war zone during the Vietnam War and being a part of a few Hollywood films and on television. Bubbles died on May 18, 1986 in New York City.

Citation:
Wikipedia.org, "John W. Bubbles." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bubbles, visited 17 Dec 2012. (all above information)

Ancestry.com, "John W. Bubbles," (b. 1902, d. 1986). Boards. http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.obits/109361/mb.ashx. Visited December 17, 2012. (all above information).

Chadbourne, Eugene. Billboard.com, "John W. Bubbles: Biography," (b. 1902, d. 1986). http://www.billboard.com/artist/john-w-sublett/bio/500727#/artist/john-w-sublett/bio/500727. Visited December 17, 2012. (born 1902; d. 1986; performed in "Cabin in the Sky," Sportin' Life in "Porgy and Bess," started working with Buck as a child in Indianapolis; father of rhythm tap; did television performances; did USO tour with Bob Hope.)

Wikipedia, August 18, 2015 (John W. Bubbles; born John William Sublett; b. Feb. 19, 1902 in Louisville, Kentucky; d. May 18, 1986 in New York City; formed partnership with Ford L. "Buck" Washington in Indianapolis and performed as "Buck and Bubbles"; first black artists to appear in the Radio City Music; may be said that they were first black artists to perform live on television; father of "rhythm tap"; "rhythm tap" allows for more rhythmic freedom and works with the improvisatory style of jazz; chosen in 1935 to play role of Sportin' Life in the opera Porgy and Bess and occasionally played role; toured Vietnam war zone; appeared in a few Hollywood films; appeared on television)

Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:

John W. Bubbles photograph albums, approximately 1936-1984

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains several scrapbooks documenting important times and people in the life of Bubbles. Includes a scrapbook about his performances in "Porgy and Bess," his USO tours, and other miscellaneous moments in his life as an entertainer. The scrapbooks contain not only photographs, but letters, including from celebrities like Jack Haley and Bing Crosby, and articles and advertisements for his or his friends' performances. Materials date from approximately 1936 to 1984.

Dates: approximately 1936-1984

John W. Bubbles photographs, approximately 1924-1985

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs related to the professional and personal life of Bubbles. Includes photographs of Bubbles himself performing and alone with his family, including publicity photographs and headshots. Also contains autographed photographs of many people he worked with, including Fats Waller, Dinah Washington, and Fred Astaire. Also includes photographs of many of Bubbles' friends and family, including his wife Aysha de Festa and others. Materials date from approximately 1924 to 1985.

Dates: approximately 1924-1985

John W. Bubbles professional papers, approximately 1930-1986

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 2
Scope and Contents Contains files related to the professional career of Bubbles. Includes address books of people he knew, business cards of people and businesses with whom he associated, correspondence between himself and his employers, publishers, and associates. Also contains a few letters from family members related to his career. Also contains files Bubbles kept on his own performances, including his photographs of performances given with other people such as Bob Hope and Judy Garland, as well as others....
Dates: approximately 1930-1986

John W. Bubbles sheet music, approximately 1894-1975

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains sheet music collected by Bubbles. Includes sheet music for miscellaneous songs, such as "Jitterbug Jamboree," "You Can't Take It With You," and "Inside the Outside Inn." Also contains collections of several copies of sheet music for songs such as "When You're Smiling," "Tip Tap Along," and music for the Buck & Bubbles act. Also contains sheet music for patriotic songs and correspondence regarding the songs. Includes songs such as "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y," "Lincoln and JFK," and...
Dates: approximately 1894-1975

John W. Bubbles songbooks, 1934-1964

 Sub-Series — Carton 13: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3; Series 5 [Barcode: 31197233631222], Folder: 2-8
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 5 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains several songbooks collected by Bubbles. Includes "America Sings" community song book, the Armed Forces Song Folio, a country guitar technique book, several piano duet album books, and other piano books. Includes music from famous piano pieces and several books with popular music hits for the 1930s to 1960s. Also contains books on the music of Bing Crosby, Les Paul, and Jerome Kern, as well as others. Materials date from between 1934 and 1964.

Dates: 1934-1964

John W. Bubbles video and audio recordings, approximately 1925-1985

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 4 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains film and audio tapes collected by Bubbles. Contains small LP albums, videocassette recordings, audiotape recordings, and other small reels. They are recordings of Bubbles and other performers, such as Perry Como and Louis Armstrong. Also includes some type of recording device for audio recordings. Materials date from approximately 1925 to 1985.

Dates: approximately 1925-1985

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 15
Collection 1
 
Subject
Entertainers -- United States 15
Letters 6
African Americans 5
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 5
Media and Communication 5