Belle Baker Bio
Belle Baker was a popular vaudeville style singer from the teens, who grew in popularity throughout the 20's and stayed popular well into the early 30's. This site is dedicated to the unique singer, actress and personality. Belle Baker was the quientessential jazz age singer. It is a shame that she is not more well known today, since some magazine polls from the late 20's list her as being more popular than Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Marion Harris and Ruth Etting. In fact she sometimes came in as #1, or #2 on those polls of most popular vocalists in the late 20's and early 30's. Belle Baker along with Sophie Tucker was one of the "last of the red hot mamas." Baker sang a torch song as if she really were crying. However she wasn't only a good torch singer, she could belt out a ragtime number with syncopation and style. Baker had a low large voice, she had rhythm and plenty of it! Her voice was sophistocated and sensious. I think taht maybe Lee Wiley and Mildred Bailey mgiht have been slightly influenced by her singing. She is forgotten today, while some still remember Jolson, Cantor, and even Ruth Etting, Baker is mostly forgotten today. |
A Photo of The Lovely Belle Baker
Here is a photo of the lovely Belle Baker circa early 1930's, from a postcard advertising a ful shop. |
The Men & Composers in Belle Baker's Life
Two men in Belle Baker's life were composers one was her husband, Maurice Abrahams also known as "Maurie Abrams." Abrahams composed "Walking With The Moonbeans" a very charming and peppy number written for Baker to sing in the film "Song Of Love"(available on LP "Last Of The Red Hot Mamas" on Take Two Records with Sophie Tucker on one side and Baker on the other). Abrahams also composed such pop tunes as "Ruff Johnson's Harmony Band" and possibly his best known tune "Ragtime Cowboy Joe." The other man in Belle Baker's life professionally speaking was Irving Berlin who wote "Blue Skies" with Baker in mind. She intoduced Blue Skies, though that's a fact few people know.
Recordings available
There are currently no cd's available by Belle Baker, however, there is an exellent LP put out on Take Two Records out of Los Angeles, it is oop, but you can find it in record shops, eBay, or gemm.com. Her 78's are common, but expensive nonetheless. I hope Brad Kay will put out a CD of Baker, as he's dome with Jane Green and the 4 cd set of Sophie Tucker's early recordings. |
Belle Baker On the Cover Of Irving Berlin's "This Is the Life"
Here is a great photo of Belle Baker singing Irving Berlin's little known "This Is The Life," looking like an Italian peasant girl.
|
Home Page |
About Page |
Photo Page |
What's New Page |
Contact Page |
Favorite Links