Skip to main content

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 5 Collections and/or Records:

John W. Bubbles papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8026
Scope and Contents Contains the professional and personal papers of Bubbles. Includes correspondence between him and family members and associates, many photographs of himself performing as well as others with whom he performed, artifacts from his life, audio and visual media of his own performances and other performers, and sheet music collected by him and used in his performances. Also contains address books and materials related to his health, marriages, and other topics. Materials date from approximately...
Dates: approximately 1894-2000

John W. Bubbles artifacts, approximately 1925-1986

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains artifacts and personal effects of Bubbles. First, contains a briefcase, likely belonging to John Bubbles. Inside the briefcase are folders for holding music. Also contains gifts he received from people, including a decorative plate and a wooden carved elephant, as well as a transistor radio in the shape of a piano, more music folders, pens and badges, and other ephemera. Materials date from approximately 1925 to 1986.

Dates: approximately 1925-1986

John W. Bubbles music files, approximately 1894-1975

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains music files of Bubbles. Includes a large collection of sheet music, some related to Porgy and Bess and Bubbles' career, but more often just music of other performers, such as Bing Crosby. Includes some composition sheets and practice sheets for learning the piano, such as cadence practice and other materials. Finally, contains songbooks collected by Bubbles presumably with hits from the 1930s and 1940s. Materials date from approximately 1894 to 1975.

Dates: approximately 1894-1975

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

Filtered By

  • Subject: Performing Arts X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 4
Collection 1
 
Subject
Notated music 3
Artifacts 2
Songbooks 2
Letters 1
Photographs 1
∨ more