I had the immense pleasure to have danced with this legend in Paris at the Bobino music ‘hall in 1975. The show was based on her life it was called “Josephine “ it was just incredible she looked & sounded amazing. She would get 10/15 minutes ovation simply unreal. I was just 18 yrs old she called me her little page I will never forget you Madame Baker. 😘 xoxo
@@timdean1033 your English is perfect !!!!! Grazie Mille. Parla un po l ‘Italiano Josephine sempre meravigliosa una fantastica artista ma veramente una donna del cuore ❤️ Check my clip of many pics of Bobino with Josephine and me. Just Type. “ Josephine baker and me Bobino 1975 cittaroma P “. ...Enjoy Ancora grazie
To answer all of you here, I saw her 3 times in Europe...2 times in Havana where the theaterr was sold out. and everyone adored her...and lastly in Carnegie Hall in 1973.......She was fabulous,,,and never looked OLD she was ageless,,,,What more can I say.....???
Franchesca Carrasco You You were so lucky. Cherish it. The likes of Josephine don’t exist anymore. But perhaps i find that because i am 60 and am not keeping up with the Beyoncees of today.
I love Josephine. She had such an incredible life and career. Her story is so rich and complicated that it cannot be told in a film. A three part miniseries would be required. She was a nearly illiterate girl from St. Louis who became a New York chorus girl...and then the toast of Paris in the 1920's. She made millions and spent them. She learned several languages and became conversant in them. She learned to fly her own plane in the 1920's. She learned how to sing and dance and became a skilled entertainer. During World War 2 she joined the French resistance, she obtained the original German-Italian code book and delivered it to the allies. She fought racism in the 1950's and 1960's. She adopted twelve children of all nationalities as an experiment in brotherhood. This was her Rainbow Tribe. People thought she was crazy (she was) but she was also ahead of her time. It's wonderful to be able to see and hear Josephine in these You tube clips.
Ah, another fan! I first realised that she was more than a beautiful black woman in a banana skirt about a year before she hit the headlines in the context of being interred in the Pantheon - Radio 3, the BBC's classical music station, played one of her songs: I thought "is that the *same* Josephine Baker?" and that started one of my sessions on Google, finding out as much as I could about her. She's now one of my heroes for so many reasons! Did you know that there's a new book about her wartime years? Written by Damien Lewis (no, not Damian Lewis the actor!) its American title is "Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy" [its English title is "The Flame of Resistance: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy"] and it took about 10 years to write - patience that was rewarded when, towards the end of that period, the French authorities released a lot of secret papers which filled a lot of gaps. If you google for "youtube lewis baker spy" the first link should be to a one-hour interview of Damien about the book, on the "International Spy Museum" site - Damien's enthusiasm for her, and his knowledge, shine through. Also you can google for "Josephine Baker Movies" and, as well as full version of at least 3 of her movies (from the 30s, in French but with English subtitles), there are various documentaries including a few interviews.
Tia Mia Well this was during a time where blacks weren't even allowed to be in lounges or restaurants of high maintenance hotels they stayed at. Josephine had to use service entrances or kitchens to go to and from her hotel room alot of the time.
I had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback to Bobino. She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing run. ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers .Wanting to know everyone ‘s names .Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble and compassionate. Josephine had many lives and reinvented herself many times throughout her long career. Miss Baker had the perfect combination of charisma and humanity . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl who played young josephine and 1 gorgeous dancer who perform the famous banana dance ! So they had to transformed the stage by expanding it including moving the orchestra to the balcony and putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater for at least 10 days ! It was bit chaotic to say the list and quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! Even though None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergère wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but a small theater by Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done practicing. She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I was one of the lucky one to have diner with her and only few members of the cast at Jean-Claude Brialy ‘s restaurant called L’ Orangerie where Josephine would reminisce on her career. Saying humbly “Well I was lucky I just had a great body and nice smile “ !!! I Could believe how down to earth she was. I will never forget the very first time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to see your life story being played in front you and starring in your own life musical ? She replied “ it’s wonderful At least i will see what they think of me when I am still alive !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier ...Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true master CLASS ,,,,,,We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th special Press night on march 31 st to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly’s Sophia Loren & Alain Delon. We had another performance on the 9 th but She felt into a coma on the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. I was invited to her funeral at l ‘eglise de la Madeleine The service was extremely beautiful and so very emotional I went to Monaco cemetery recently to pay my respect for this Grande Dame 46 years later. Josephine paved the way for the Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤️❤️❤️. La Bakair Forever. 🍌 💃 🕺 check photos &clips at “josephine baker and me Bobino 1975 Cittaroma p “. Enjoy
@@birgip.m.1236 Hello Birgi thanks for replying. She was a incredible woman who is going to enter the Pantheon in Paris on Tuesday So we’ll deserve Be well xo 😚
Gosh, another 18 year old lucky enough to be her little page! I was 25 then - but only really found out about her about a year before her admission into the Pantheon and then became almost (almost??!!) obsessed with finding out more about this extraordinary woman's history. A truly admirable person for so many reasons - not just a world-beating entertainer but loyal, courageous, humanitarian - the list goes on!
@@lauryburr7044 Bonjour Larry ! Thank you so much for your kind response .Josephine changed my personal and professional life 48 years ago next month .You’re really articulated Miss Baker very well. When I think of JB It’s all bout humility ,dignity and humanity . So glad people are finding out bout this incredible human being if you ever get a chance stay on RU-vid and type “ the josephine Baker story “ with Lynn Whitfield It’s about 30 years old but it really gives you an idea how an amazing woman josephine truly was. And at the end of the movie there is a scene of Bobino which always gets me every time since I lived it 🥲🥲🥲Take care and thank you 🙏
Loll All Respect..but Josephine did that shit!!!! What a Wonderful performance the whole way...and then her Signature Close out by the wall...Yassss!!! Long Live Josephine Baker!!!!!!!
I'm a 75 year old bloke and today is the first time I have ever seen Josephine Baker. I have watched her work in the 1920's through to this. I have read the great esteem held for her and of her work during WW11. She is amazing! Her 1971 "My Fair Lady" me4dley is something else!
It really such a shame that she had to leave the USA. I am so thankful for the internet and all of the Josephine Baker memories here. I graduated HS in 1967 and luckily my Dad had a bunch of her recordings.
She had an amazing life in France with her chateau and her Rainbow Tribe (At least while the money was there). Remembering how the Federal Bureau of Narcotics persecuted Billy Holiday, Josephine made the right choice!
Ironically we have to be grateful for that racism as she turned it to the advantage of the free world - some of her contributions to the war efffort, through her espionage activities, were pivotal. Ironically, when some American "top brass" met her in north Africa when she'd helped get key information in the context of the Allied planned invasion of Italy from north Africa, they said to her "America will never forget what you';ve done for us!" - the ongoing racism that she faced proved that they DID, to their shame, forget.
Actually her consumes by then were sewn together pieces cause by then she was wearing older costumes and sewing different pieces together she had no funds by then.
Josie was adorable, funny, and oh so talented. The way America treated her was terrible, and I'm glad she went where she could be loved and appreciated. Rest easy, Ms. Baker. You are still loved and appreciated.
Absolument formidable cette femme est incroyable une grande artiste qui a un moment difficile de ça vie à été aidé par la divine femme de coeur de nos amis Brigitte Bardot a aidé Joséphine Baker que certains hommes de pouvoirs avaient oubliés Quand ont sais tout ce qu' elle a fait Joséphine Baker pour la France. Reposé en paix grande dame.
I wish I had a list of the names of the songs so I can look them up..she sings honey suckle rose the best. I want to hear her voice on the whole songs 😃.. but where. I wish I could hear the whole songs.. because her taste in music is wonderful 😊
I'm floored. The song LaBaker sings at 7:15 I thought was an original song by Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees and here Ms. Baker is singing it in '68. WOW!
From Wikipedia: "Jeepers Creepers" is a popular 1938 song and jazz standard. The music was written by Harry Warren, and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for the 1938 Warner Brothers movie Going Places. It was premiered by Louis Armstrong and has since been covered by many other artists.[1]
@@taragreenetarotastro Guess I never saw this remark. Funny running across it now. Not important in the scheme of things but I NEVER said she wrote it. In fact, didn't know who the writer was. Think you got confused and was mistaken because I heard her SING the song in the clubs during my dancing into the night days.
Thank you for enriching my life with this recording of a legend who wanted to make a significant difference with her life, on and off stage. Class. Elegant and transcending.
Thank you for sharing this. I read about her and saw the biopic with Lynn Whitfield. What an icon. She was beautiful all around- her voice, movements, and style- and graceful. I’m mesmerized and proud. She is a superstar that’s second to none. 🌹♥️👍🏾⭐️👑
INCOMPARABLE............................MAGNIFICA............................PRECIOSA.......................TODO UN LUJO.....EN EL MUNDO DEL ARTE HUMANO.....................UNA PASADA DE MUJER............................
LAS GRANDES CANTANTES DE ANTES...ERAN UNICAS......................las de ahora...................son del monton.................................que lastima...............
Pulls her skirt up and dances like a young girl as she did in 1925. Grand Dame linking herself effortless to that Banana skirt sensation. And then her looks, her voice, her stage presence …. Black Venus.
And turned the Nazis' misogyny and racism against them to smuggle vitally important war info out under their noses - who'd suspect a black woman capable of that? Such idiots!!
Congratulations to France which on November 30, 2021 honored Joséphine Baker by placing her in the Panthéon in Paris, where 81 illustrious men and five women of the French republic are remembered
