KANSAS CITY KITTY

Biography

Mozelle Alderson, known by the alias Kansas City Kitty among others, was born Mozelle Fagans on November 20, 1904, in Bedford, Ohio. Little is known about her early life, but she married and relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where she established herself in the vibrant blues scene of the 1920s and 1930s. She began her recording career in 1927 with Black Patti Records, releasing singles such as 'Mobile Central Blues,' 'Tall Man Blues,' and 'Room Rent Blues,' accompanied by pianist Blind James Beck.[1]

Alderson's career peaked in the late 1920s and early 1930s, recording for labels including Brunswick, ARC, Vocalion, and Paramount. In 1930, she cut 'Tight Whoopee' backed with 'Tight in Chicago' with pianist Judson Brown, her most regular accompanist. She served as a one-time vocalist for the Famous Hokum Boys and contributed backing vocals on tracks like 'Alabama Scratch' with Big Bill Broonzy and Georgia Tom as the Harum Scarums in 1931. Her style embodied classic female blues, characterized by emotive vocals over piano accompaniment, though details of her musical development remain sparse due to limited documentation.[1][2]

Alderson was widowed by 1941 and remarried John Slocum in Chicago in 1943. She passed away in Chicago on February 15, 1994, at age 89. Her limited output has been preserved on compilation albums, contributing to the legacy of classic female blues singers, though her personal life outside recordings is largely unknown.[1]

Fun Facts

• Alderson recorded under multiple aliases, possibly including Kansas City Kitty, Hannah May, Thelma Holmes, Mae Belle Lee, and Jane Lucas, reflecting the common practice among blues artists of the era.[1]
• She participated in the lively 'Alabama Scratch' session with Big Bill Broonzy and Georgia Tom, described as sounding 'as if it was a real party.'[1]
• Despite her obscurity, her recordings appear on compilations alongside blues legends like Scrapper Blackwell and Arthur Petties in the Famous Hokum Boys credits.[1]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Judson Brown - most regular pianist and accompanist (Brunswick recordings including 'Tight Whoopee' / 'Tight in Chicago') [1930]
• Blind James Beck - pianist accompanist (Black Patti singles including 'Mobile Central Blues,' 'Tall Man Blues,' 'Mozelle Blues') [1927]
• Big Bill Broonzy - band member in Harum Scarums trio ('Alabama Scratch' (Paramount 13054)) [1931]
• Georgia Tom - band member in Harum Scarums trio and Famous Hokum Boys vocalist ('Alabama Scratch,' Famous Hokum Boys compilation) [1930-1931]
• Famous Hokum Boys - one-time vocalist (self-titled compilation (JSP Records, 2015)) [1930]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. How Can You Have The Blues? (The Roots Of Rap: Classic Recordings From The 1920s & 30s)
2. Christmas Mornin' Blues (Death Might Be Your Santa Claus)
3. How Can You Have The Blues? (Come On Mama Do That Dance (1928-1932))
4. Double Trouble Blues (Saga Blues: Blueswomen "Girls Play and Sing the Blues")
5. My Wash Woman's Gone (Risque Blues, Vol. 2)
6. Fish Hous Blues (Risque Blues, Vol. 2)
7. Killing Floor Blues (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 7)
8. When Can I Get It (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 7)
9. That Thing's a Mess (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 7)
10. Root Man Blues (Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 7)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz