Maureen Donnelly Lee is a retired public relations professional and a former newspaper journalist and magazine editor. Lee spent eight years as a research associate for child and family research centres at Clemson University, USA and the University of South Carolina, USA.
"I have long awaited someone like Maureen Lee who would take a
closer look at Sissieretta Jones, Rhode Island's and the nation's
most successful African American singer during a difficult age. The
result is a stunning biography of piercing intensity and
beauty."--Ray Rickman, former president of the Rhode Island Black
Heritage Society
"Maureen Lee has done a fantastic job bringing to light the life
story of Sissieretta Jones. Much of this important vocalist's life
has been hidden and unknown. Lee brings forth small details about
Mme Jones's life in a way that makes this story so enjoyable.
Filled with facts and historical information about the times, it's
easily one of the best musical biographies that I've read in a long
time."--Eric Jackson, host of Jazz on WGBH with Eric Jackson
"Maureen Lee has provided a detailed and highly informative review
of a sadly neglected superstar singer of the American concert and
vaudeville stage at the beginning of the twentieth century. The
remarkable life and accomplishments of the 'Black Patti'--complete
with international tours and performances before four U.S.
presidents--faithfully reported in this volume need to be more
fully incorporated into the broad cultural story of America in
order to understand the true diversity of our country's
entertainment history."--Thomas L. Riis, director of the American
Music Research Center, University of Colorado College of Music, and
author of Just before Jazz: Black Musical Theater in New York
1890-1915
"Maureen Lee makes an extremely valuable contribution to our
understanding of the essence of Sissieretta Jones's professional
life. Exhaustive research, excellent organization of the material,
and a very descriptive writing style all make this book an
excellent read."--Karen Chandler, associate professor of arts
management, College of Charleston, and cofounder/principal of the
Charleston Jazz Initiative
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