Gladys Bentley

Born : August 12, 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Died : January 18, 1960 in Los Angeles, California. Gladys Bentley was an openly gay blues singer and pianist who performed at clubs in Harlem in the 1920s and early 30s, including the Clam House and the Ubangi Club. Dressed in her signature top hat and tuxedo, she would perform blues standards with her own raunchy lyrics.