Pearl | Charles B. Murray

PEARL Bailey is a legend in the entertainment industry. At age fifteen she won the famed Apollo Theater Amateur Contest and quit high school to star as a Vaudeville Entertainer during The Great Depression. ​ ​ PEARL became the Janet Jackson/Beyoncé of her time in the 1930’s and 1940’s. This is the PEARL we’re bringing back to life on stage.  PEARL released close to thirty albums with countless hit songs, starred in movies; received an Emmy Award and the prestigious Tony Award. She defied segregation barriers marrying her soul mate, famed Italian/American drummer and orchestrator Louis Bellson, in 1952. PEARL was the first female African American entertainer to have her own network television show. Two United States Presidents awarded her the rank of Ambassador with an honorary seat in the United Nations. And that’s only scratching the surface of this Historic American icon’s life. PEARL is a story that deserves to be told, needs to be herd and screams to be made alive on stage.  PEARL Bailey was my aunt. She left an indelible mark in our family. I’ve worked as an artist here in New York City for over 30 years performing, writing, directing and creating. I feel that now is the perfect time to share her story, struggles, accomplishments and legacy with the world.