Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-04-01

Duration: 00:26:34

Subjects: LUTCHER, NELLIE | Music | JAZZ | Rhythm and blues music | Singers | Pianists | Capitol Records, Inc.

Contributors:

• Weill, Gus Host
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Breazeale, Kathryn Producer
• Lutcher, Nellie Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from April 1, 1983, features an interview with Nellie Lutcher conducted by Gus Weill. Lutcher, a native of Lake Charles, is an influential Rhythm and Blues and jazz singer and pianist, who gained notoriety in the 1940s and 1950s. She discusses: growing up in Lake Charles; her early performances in church at age eight and as a piano player with the Imperial Orchestra at age fourteen; the beginning of her singing career after her move to Los Angeles at age twenty; her hits, “Hurry On Down” and “Fine Brown Frame”; and her career with Capitol Records.