Edna Belle Alexander (1892–1972) was an American soprano singer and music composer. In addition to performing, she became a songwriter and published music under the name Alex Belledna.

Biography

Alexander was born in

Ottumwa, Iowa Ottumwa ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,529 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census. Located in the state's southeastern section, the city is split into northern and southern halves ...

on March 19, 1892 to parents Mary Ann (

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth ...

Hamilton) (1868–1916) and Price Alexander. Edna had eight siblings, including four sisters and four brothers, named James Leonard, Archie A., Mary Colleen Jones, Harriet Louise, Leland Russell, Harold Creighton, Ida Helen, and Doris Elaine. Her brother,

Archie Alexander Archibald Alphonso Alexander (May 14, 1888January 4, 1958) was an American architect and engineer. He was an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa and the first to graduate from the University of Iowa's College of Engineering. ...

, later became governor of the

Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands ( es, Islas Vírgenes) are an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. They are geology, geologically and biogeography, biogeographically the easternmost part of the Greater Antilles, the northern islands belonging to the Puerto Ric ...

. She attended North Des Moines High School, graduating in 1911. While living in Des Moines, Iowa, she was a member of the Des Moines Negro Lyceum and sang at various local events. In November 1911, she married William Beach at her parents' home in Highland Park, Iowa. Two years later, she filed for divorce from William on the grounds of "cruel and inhumane treatment, and adultery". Alexander later married fellow musician and songwriter Maceo Pinkard in 1917. She used the pseudonym Alex Belledna for songwriting credit work, including on pieces she composed together with her husband. Under the name "Alex Belledna", she composed the song "It's Right Here for You (If You Don't Get It—Tain't No Fault of Mine)", which was included on the 1920 record ''Crazy Blues'', recorded by Okeh Records and sung by Mamie Smith. A rarity for the early 1900s, the song was created by a team of black women, as Alexander co-wrote the song with lyricist Marion Dickerson. Alexander and her husband collaborated on the 1929 musical novelty show ''Pansy'' which had an unfavorable reception upon its debut and quickly closed, despite a well received song performed by

Bessie Smith Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the " Empress of the Blues", she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s. Inducted into the Rock an ...

. The play opened on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

on May 14, 1929 at the

Belmont Theatre The Belmont Theatre, also known during its existence as the Norworth Theatre and the Theatre Parisien, was a Broadway theatre located at 125 W. 48th St., New York, New York. It was designed by architect Eugene De Rosa. It was active as a Broadway ...

and ran for three performances, closing on May 16, 1929. Alexander and her husband also owned a music publishing company under their names. Alexander died in 1972. Her music was later included in the musical retrospective, ''

One Mo' Time One More Time may refer to: Film and television * ''One More Time'' (1931 film), a Merrie Melodies cartoon * ''One More Time'' (1970 film), a film by Jerry Lewis * ''One More Time'', a 1974 TV special with Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, and other ...

'', which ran from 1979 to 1987, and the 2002 show '' Blues in the Night''.

Discography

*" Sugar: That Sugar Baby O'Mine" (1926), co-wrote. Became a hit on an

Ethel Waters Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American singer and actress. Waters frequently performed jazz, swing, and pop music on the Broadway stage and in concerts. She began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her no ...

recording. *"Granny" (1919) - composer, recorded by numerous artists *"It's Right Here for You" (1920) - composer; debuted in vaudeville with

Sophie Tucker Sophie Tucker (born Sofia Kalish; January 13, 1886 – February 9, 1966) was an American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality. Known for her powerful delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertaine ...

, recorded by

Mamie Smith Mamie Smith (née Robinson; May 26, 1891 – September 16, 1946) was an American vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist, and actress. As a vaudeville singer she performed in multiple styles, including jazz and blues. In 1920, she entered blues histor ...

and others *"Tain't Nothing But Jazz" (1921) - co-wrote with Maceo Pinkard and William Tracey *"Make Those Naughty Eyes Behave" (1925) *"Does My Sweetie Do—And How" (1925) - co-wrote with Sidney Holden and Maceo Pinkard *"Kitchen Man" (1929) - co-wrote with

Andy Razaf Andy Razaf (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; December 16, 1895 – February 3, 1973) was an American poet, composer and lyricist of such well-known songs as " Ain't Misbehavin'" and " Honeysuckle Rose". Biography Razaf was born in Wash ...

, recorded by

*"Squealin' Pig Blues"

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Edna 1892 births 1972 deaths African-American composers African-American women composers American musical theatre composers American sopranos People from Ottumwa, Iowa Women musical theatre composers