Newberry Library - Interview with Audrey Morris, clip 1, Mister Kelly's collection, 1945-2019

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Title Interview with Audrey Morris, clip 1, Mister Kelly's collection, 1945-2019

Date 1945-2019

Subject Chicago Jazz, Clubs, Comedians, Jazz, Music, Nightclubs, Oral histories, Theater

Description Grew up on southeast side of Chicago in Chatham while Chicago was still fairly segregated. Started playing piano by ear when she was 6. Was in a band in high school, they played down on the south side at various places.
When her building in Hyde Park got sold, she had to move to Edgebrook, which is when she started doing more downtown gigs. She worked first at the Capital Lounge on State Street. She started at Mister Kelly’s early on back when it first started and wasn’t doing too well. Morris mentions the Marienthals being very welcoming and the best owners she worked for and that they didn’t discriminate.
Morris was about 24 when she first started working at Mister Kellys. She was recommended by Herb Lyon. She often played during the after midnight hours, between 11pm to 5am. They would play for 40 minutes and then be off for 20 minutes, but weren’t strict with themselves. It depended on the crowd.
She initially started as a pianist only and then learned how to sing at the same time. Other local musicians at Mister Kellys and London House were Ramsey Lewis, Judy Roberts, Lorleen Hunter, Jimmy Bollman. They all regularly would go into different clubs to find their friends and sit and listen.

Duration 50m39s

Archival Collection Title Mister Kelly's collection

Rights Status In Copyright

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Link to Catalog View Catalog Record | View Finding Aid

Call Number Midwest MS Mister Kellys

BibID 9911603832505867

Size 352px × 288px 115.91 MB

Original file name AA2181.3gp

Unique Identifier NL112KO6

Visibility Class Public

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