Pioneer African-American stand-up comedian, Timmie Rogers, is the focus of this week’s, The Phantom Dancer.

The Phantom Dancer is your non-stop two hour mix of swing and jazz from live 1920s – 1960s radio and TV.

It’s been presented by 1920s-1930s singer and band leader, Greg Poppleton, since 1985.

Hear this show online for the next 4 weeks after the 13 Feb broadcast at radio 2ser.com

On this week’s Phantom Dancer we hear the stars of jazz on Eddie Condon’s 1948 TV ‘Floorshow’. There’s a set of Benny Goodman from 1934-36 radio. And we visit ‘The Supper Club’, an NBC radio show, in 1944-45. The Birdland audience sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Billy Eckstine live on 1953 radio.

Plus, as mentioned, we hear Timmie Rogers, in live 1945-49 radio appearances. And there’s a bonus live Nat King Cole treatment of a Timmie Rogers song, broadcast from The Trocadero in Hollywood in 1945.

TIMMIE ROGERS

US comedian, band leader, singer, composer and actor, Timmie Rogers, was one of the first black comedians who directly addressed a white audience when he worked.

Before Rogers, African-American comedians had to either work in pairs or groups, talking only to each other while playing characters – think Mr Gallagher  and Mr Sheen.

In fact, Timmie Rogers began in vaudeville in 1932 with a partner, Freddie, doing a dance act.

STAND-UP PIONEER

He went his own way in 1944 and was an immediate success on radio. Today’s Phantom Dancer features some of Timmie Rogers early radio solo work.

Rogers had been dancing since age 8. He ran away from home at 12 working as a dishwasher. He learnt the languages he heard in the kitchens. He eventually could speak nine languages. He sang in French and German.

While working cleaning ashtrays in a ballroom, absorbed which what was happening on stage, he was invited to dance between acts. That was the beginning of his career in entertainment. First he was a dancer and singer. Then his main focus became stand-up, specialising in the topical and political.

FIRST TV SHOW 1949

In 1949, Rogers starred in the first black prime-time show on US TV (CBS), Uptown Jubilee.

OH, YEAH!

Rogers was known as the Unknown Pioneer of (Black) Comedy. His catchphrase was “Oh Yeah!”, which you’ll hear plenty of times in today’s Phantom dancer Timmie Rogers set and in The Phantom dancer Video of the Week below.

He was a recurring guest star on The Jackie Gleason Show for over 12 years. He ended up working with Gleason thirty years.

Rogers also a composer and lyricist. You’ll hear his song, ‘If You Can’t Smile and Say Yes’, sung by Nat King Cole in a live 1945 radio broadcast. He wrote songs for Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan. His hits included ‘Back to School Again’ and ‘I Love Ya, I Love Ya, I Love Ya’.

1961 TV APPEARANCE

On your Phantom Dancer Video of the Week, enjoy Timmie Rogers as he wins over the studio audience on a 1961 TV Variety Show,