Launching Point

ID: 813 ~ Source: Image courtesy of the Texas Collection, Baylor University

This file appears in: Jules Bledsoe

In addition to serving as the launching point for his own career, Bledsoe’s performance in Show Boat on Broadway made “Ol’ Man River” one of the most famous songs in the history of American musical theater. Bledsoe later starred in the 1929 film setting of the celebrated musical.

This file appears in: Jules Bledsoe

Jules Bledsoe

By Amanda Sawyer

Julius “Jules” Bledsoe’s extraordinary musical talent transcended racial discrimination of the nineteenth century and established him as a pioneer in American music. Bledsoe was born on December 29, 1897, to Henry and Jessie Bledsoe in Waco. Even…