At the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles, 1940s

Item Overview

Title

At the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles, 1940s

Date Created

[1940s?]

Date

1940/1949

Language

No linguistic content

Collection

Walter L. Gordon, Jr./William C. Beverly, Jr. Collection

Notes

Summary

Bea DeVaughn was active in civic organizations, and was known as a local activist with knowledge of the Los Angeles social scene. In the 1940 census her occupation is listed as dressmaker.
Joe Morris was an American rhythm and blues trumpeter, writer, arranger and bandleader. He managed, at various times, the Congo Club and Club Alabam.
Lionel Leo Hampton was an African American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor.
Police Lt. Roscoe (Rocky) C. Washington was the first African American Police Lieutenant in Los Angeles. He was married to Hazel Washington.
Gladys Hampton was the wife of jazz musician Lionel Hampton.
Walter L. Gordon, Jr. was an African American attorney in Los Angeles.
Hazel Washington was an artist, designer and decorator popular with Hollywood. She was formerly the maid of Hollywood actress Rosalind Russell. The women later became business partners in women's clothing. She also wrote a column for the Chicago Defender titled "This is Hollywood." Mrs. Washingon was married to the policeman Roscoe (Rocky) Washington.
Herman Hill was a publicist and also the first African American to play varsity basketball at the University of Southern California.

Description

L to R, back row: Joe Morris, Bea DeVaughn, Walter L. Gordon, Jr., Hazel Washington, Roscoe (Rocky) C. Washington, and Herman Hill. Kneeling at left is Lionel Hampton, and next to him with her arms around two men is Gladys Hampton. The other man and woman in the photograph are unidentified.
All information concerning the content and description of the image was provided by Walter Gordon.

Physical Description

Extent

1 photograph : b&w

Keywords

Genre

Black-and-white photographs

Names

Washington, Hazel, 1903-1991
DeVaughn, Beatrice, 1901-1989
Morris, Joseph Lee, 1922-1958
Hampton, Gladys
Hampton, Lionel
Washington, Roscoe C. (Roscoe Conkling), 1902-1996
Hill, Herman, 1906-1991
Gordon, Walter L., Jr., 1908-2012

Location

California--Los Angeles

Resource type

still image

Subjects

Lifestyle

African American jazz musicians
African American police--California--Los Angeles
African American businesspeople--California--Los Angeles
African American women political activists--California--Los Angeles
African American lawyers--California--Los Angeles