(February 14th 1893 - April 20th 1970)

Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1893, Perry Bradford was raised in Atlanta from the age of six. In 1906 he began performing in Minstrel Shows and was reportedly playing piano in Chicago as early as 1909 touring with an act billed as "Bradford and Jeanette". Landing in New York for the first time in 1910 through his extensive travels Bradford absorbed a vast knowledge of African-American folk songs which he drew upon as inspiration for his own pop compositions.

As a composer/songwriter and vaudevillian performer Perry Bradford helped define black music in the commercial market with his songs, and as a promoter and manager built the careers of a number of prominent singers beginning with Mamie Smith.