Herb Jeffries

Jazz Singer

Birthday September 24, 1913

Birth Sign Libra

Birthplace Michigan

DEATH DATE May 25, 2014 (100)

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About

American jazz singer and actor who was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in 2004.

Before Fame

In his early years, he would appear in blackface and lie about his race in order to be taken more seriously as a jazz musician.

Trivia

He was typecast as the singing cowboy archetype in Western films.

Family Life

He was born to an Irish mother and an Italian father. He married Tempest Storm and they had a daughter together.

Associated With

He recorded with Duke Ellington from 1940 to 1942.