Ceramic Mug 15oz (ESTER LEE JONES)

Esther Lee Jones, also known by her stage names “Baby Esther,” “Little Esther,” and other variations, was an American singer and child entertainer in the late 1920s. Here are some key highlights of her life and achievements:

1. Early Career: Born around 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, Esther began performing at a young age. She was known for her unique singing style, which included scat singing and interpolated phrases like “boop-boop-a-doop” and “doo-doo-doo”.
2. Influence on Betty Boop: Esther’s performances inspired the creation of the iconic cartoon character Betty Boop. During a court case in 1932, it was revealed that singer Helen Kane had seen Esther perform and adopted her singing style, which was later used for Betty Boop.
3. International Fame: Esther performed in various nightclubs in Harlem and toured Europe, where she was celebrated for her talent. She performed before royalty and was dubbed the “Miniature Josephine Baker”.