Allen Michie on Nostr: Jazztodon artist of the week: Bertha Hope! She was born in 1936. She’s the widow of ...

Jazztodon artist of the week: Bertha Hope! She was born in 1936. She’s the widow of fellow pianist Elmo Hope, with whom she collaborated. In the 1990s, she had her first CDs as a leader and additionally worked with her second husband, bassist Walter Booker. She started playing professionally in Johnny Otis's band as well as local trios. In 1958, she met Elmo Hope who was touring with Sonny Rollins. She married Elmo in 1960 and the following year they moved to New York City. Together they recorded an album, "Hope-Full," for Riverside which featured her on three songs. After Elmo's death in 1967, Hope-Booker gave up her music career despite being offered a place in Art Blakey's band.

Check out two of her great albums as a leader, “Elmo’s Fire” and “Between Two Kings.”

#jazz #berthahope