Jazz on Film—“Betty Boop: Toons and Tunes”
Featuring Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Thursday, November 9 • 7:30pm
$20 GA
“What is it about Betty Boop that can still haunt
your dreams long after her flesh-and-blood rivals fade away?”—Chicago
Tribune
Program Notes
“Boop-oop-a-doop!” Helium-voiced cartoon vamp Betty
Boop has been beloved since she first graced the silver screen
in 1930. With ringlets in her hair, a tight flapper dress, and
conspicuous garter, Max Fleischer’s creation represented
the liberated femininity of the jazz age. Originally modeled
on film siren Helen Kane, Boop appeared in dozens of shorts throughout
the ’30s, and is considered the first overtly sexual cartoon
character. Very much a product of their time, the cartoons also
played up racial and ethnic stereotypes that 21st century culture
now recognizes as insensitive or outright offensive.
Many of Betty’s co-stars were the leading lights on the
jazz scene, including legends Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway.
Tonight’s presentation will feature classic Boop ‘toons
interspersed with performances from another notable siren, Lavay
Smith, leading her Red Hot Skillet Lickers in jump-blues and
swing from Betty’s era. Smith and the boys also perform
at this year’s “Swingin’ on the Bay Brunch
Cruise”(10/22, see page 17) with fellow Bay Area Steve
Lucky & the Rhumba Bums.
Tonight’s emcee, Dave Radlauer, creator and host of the
award-winning “Jazz Rhythm” radio show, brings an
exceptional combination of jazz and cultural knowledge to bear
on this fascinating confluence of animation and jazz pioneers.
Personnel:
- Lavay Smith, vocal
- Chris Siebert, band leader/piano
- Jules Broussard, alto sax
- Charles Mcneal,tenor sax
- Mike Olmos, trumpet
- Danny Armstrong, trombone
- David Ewell, bass
- Darrell Green, drums
