Eva Jessye

Aliases: The Eva Jessye Choir
Born: January 20, 1895
Died: February 21, 1991
Country: United States
Comments: Eva Jessye is often said to be the first black woman to gain an international reputation as a choral director. She toured with the first production of "Porgy and Bess" and while mainly working in New York (on both stage and radio) she occasionally made the trip to Hollywood. Frequently speaking out against racial discrimination, she and her choir took part in the 250,000-strong March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.

Popular Originals

First performed live in Porgy and Bess (1935)