Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BUTTERBEANS and SUSIE

Black singing, dancing, comedy team: Susie Hawthorn (b 1896, Pensacola FL; d 5 Dec. '63, Chicago); Jody Edwards (b 19 July 1895; d 28 Oct. '67). Susie toured as cakewalk dancer with circus '10--16; married Butterbeans '16; worked with Butler 'Stringbeans' May while Edwards served in WWI. They worked revues, theatres, tours; musical comedy Ease On Down '30, etc. Recorded for OKeh '24-- 30; made LP for Festival '60 in NYC. She was an underrated singer who sometimes worked solo, e.g. with Trixie Smith '20, Bessie Smith (Hot Stuff Of 1933 '32), several times with Ethel Waters from '22 (e.g. in show Cabin In The Sky '40-- 41).