Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D34917-0
Date(s)
- 1948-08-26 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
Appearing on stage at the Olympus Hotel in August of 1948 was noted African American organist Selika Pettiford. Ms. Pettiford is seated at an electric organ equipped with two keyboards. At her side is a piano which she also used during her performances. Two mirrors, set at an angle to each other, show Ms. Pettiford's reflected image. Selika Pettiford, according to an article in the March 18, 1944, issue of Billboard Magazine, studied piano with Paderewski and organ with Jesse Crawford. Her work was devoted principally to the organ. She was a talented linguist who was able to sing in Latin, French, Hawaiian, Russian, Spanish and German. Besides appearing in several motion pictures, she also was a former accompanist to Marian Anderson. (Billboard, March 18, 1944, p. 31-article)
Pettiford, Selika; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organs; Pianos; Chimes; Mirrors; Reflections; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);