Wendell P. Talbert (died 1950), better known as Wen Talbert and sometimes performing as the Sultan of Jazz, [1] was an American pianist, cellist, and jazz bandleader. [2]
Talbert attended Wilberforce University and Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the latter for seven years. [3] Early in his career, Talbert was a member of the Four Harmony Kings, [4] a vocal group that performed in the Broadway musical Shuffle Along (1921). [5] He later led a band called Wen Talbert's Chocolate Fiends; [3] [a] he was playing vaudeville shows with the Fiends as of 1926, when they appeared at the Pantages Theatre in San Francisco. [6] During the 1920s, he recorded with Rosa Henderson and Lethia Hill. [2]
In the 1930s, Talbert led the Negro Chorus of the Federal Theatre Project, which performed in several Federal Theatre productions including Bassa Moona and How Long Brethren? (1937), a dance by Helen Tamiris. [7] [8] During World War II, he worked as a musical director of the United Service Organizations. [3]
Talbert was briefly married to Florence Cole Talbert; they were separated as of 1916. [9] He died in 1950. [4]
Wendell P. Talbert (died 1950), better known as Wen Talbert and sometimes performing as the Sultan of Jazz, [1] was an American pianist, cellist, and jazz bandleader. [2]
Talbert attended Wilberforce University and Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the latter for seven years. [3] Early in his career, Talbert was a member of the Four Harmony Kings, [4] a vocal group that performed in the Broadway musical Shuffle Along (1921). [5] He later led a band called Wen Talbert's Chocolate Fiends; [3] [a] he was playing vaudeville shows with the Fiends as of 1926, when they appeared at the Pantages Theatre in San Francisco. [6] During the 1920s, he recorded with Rosa Henderson and Lethia Hill. [2]
In the 1930s, Talbert led the Negro Chorus of the Federal Theatre Project, which performed in several Federal Theatre productions including Bassa Moona and How Long Brethren? (1937), a dance by Helen Tamiris. [7] [8] During World War II, he worked as a musical director of the United Service Organizations. [3]
Talbert was briefly married to Florence Cole Talbert; they were separated as of 1916. [9] He died in 1950. [4]