Excerpt - Joyce Bryant: The Lost Diva Documentary

In this excerpt from the documentary Joyce Bryant: The Lost Diva, the iconic 1950's torch singer relates how she broke the color barrier for entertainers in the then-critical Miami Beach nightclub scene in December, 1952. Defying threats from the KKK (who burned an effigy of Bryant in advance of her appearance), Bryant's performance at the new multi-million dollar Hotel Algiers made her the first black artist to perform (and also to stay) in a hotel-nightclub on Miami Beach. While black performers were allowed to perform in stand-alone nightclubs in Miami (such as the Clover Club, the Miami Copa, and Martha Rae's 5 O'Clock Club), the 'prestige gigs' - in the show-rooms located within the posh hotels on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach - were previously off-limits to them. Learn how a then 25 year old woman came to integrate this key stop on the nightclub circuit.
To see additional excerpts from the documentary, "Joyce Bryant: The Lost Diva," visit www.JoyceBryant.net

[@daniellereid7576]

She has a beautiful voice and style and class why come they haven’t made a film of this black beauty we need this in our culture she a legend ❤

[@ojukaih]

It’s interesting… today this is considered classy and cultured, but back then she was considered so raunchy and bawdy almost as if she was twerking in a thong. 🤷🏾‍♀️Go figure!

[@swallace9958]

Her teeth are beautiful. She aged like fine wine undeniably. Keep shining bright.

[@stacythomas1587]

This beautiful lady needs more recognition and be appreciated in the 21st century, no matter what your shade of skin. Ms. Bryant, may you be singing among the angels. RIP.

[@aharper113]

Beautiful talented brown beauty!!! She should be remembered never forgotten. A jewel hidden in time ❤

[@polopadic7954]

a hidden treasure, what a find!!

[@EarRam-u6c]

You could see that grace of atonement all over her face. The interview as told by Jim Byers, for his incomplete documentary (i believe due to funds), were intermittent segments between 1998-2010 approximately. She passed away November 2021, age 95. So in this interview she must have been between 70-75 years old, yet the peace she attained from her seeking atonement is strikingly transparent on her still lovely face. ❤ A lesson; one can live a good fast lane, but comes a time one should pause reflect for the ultimate transition will come to past. 💙🙏🏽🎵💎

[@michaelmitchell5098]

All the entertainers from the 1950s used to talk about her. Look at old issues of Jet, Ebony, Sepia and the like. She was doing her thing!

[@divalocity]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful video on this stunning and talented woman!

[@impsrule60]

Thanks for watching, and for appreciating Joyce. There is much, much more to come :-) Please bookmark the website www.JoyceBryant.net for updates and more information (...accurate info🙂) on this wonderful artist.

[@mwash52]

Thank you. That was fantastic!

[@impsrule60]

Thank You for watching. This is just a sample of what is to come. For more clips and updates on the documentary in-progress, please bookmark www.joycebryant.net

[@TajahCooksandActs]

This footage you shared is nothing short of MARVELOUS. What an illustrious life Ms.Joyce led! I would've love to sit down and speak with her even for a few minutes. I could've realistically done so, since I discovered (around 2019) Ms. Joyce had been living only an hour or so away from me where Ms. Robyn, her niece, cared for her until her passing. Of course, I would've made a request to visit her through Ms.Robyn to see if it was doable, but now I'll never know. Anyways, thank you for posting a brief moment of Ms.Joyce's brilliance for us to enjoy. Are you the person interviewing her in the video? Do you have access to the rest of the footage? If so, are you planning on releasing a full-length documentary? (Sorry for all the questions. I just find Ms.Joyce to be such a trailblazing, influential figure that more people ought to know about.) May we keep the legacy of Joyce "The Bronze Bombshell" Bryant alive⚡ Rest in Peace and Power Ms.Joyce🖤

[@EarRam-u6c]

I learned of her artistry through a 1985 PBS documentary "Brown Sugar", based on Donald Bogle lavishly illustration book on 80 years (then), of America's Black female pioneering superstars. His current book on "Lena Horne", goddess reclaimed and "Hollywood Black: the films, the filmmakers". I urge seek and read excellent resources to a history into the millennium filled with evocative photos and its underappreciated with lavish presentation as told superbly by Donald Bogle. 📚💎

[@SP-fw1xe]

They wanted her to wear a bandana for that performance. The gall❗️

[@NycBeauty]

Exactly ❗️

[@All.Natural.]

This was wonderful!

[@jacksid13]

Great

[@TheKrisBlissTV]

Good afternoon! My name is Kris, and I'm trying to get in touch with you. Thank you for all of these amazing videos on Joyce Bryant! I am wondering if I can use a 10 second clip in a social media post, and am looking to get permission from the copyright holder. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you! -Kris Bliss

[@kincamell]

Gratitude

[@renethomas6575]

Still a very beautiful women and class act.

[@StubbornMook]

RIP Lady ❤...

[@sknmwms6516]

Beautiful skin no make up perfect teeth!

[@k.m.h7480]

She use to work at Lord &Taylors in Garden City Long Island. People (older ppl) knew who she was . My grandmother told me but I never saw her I was young

[@Alfred-sk8we]

Yeah where is the love, LET'S MAKE THE PICTURE SHOW!

[@vintageincolor]

Are you guys still going to make the documentary about her?

[@impsrule60]

Absolutely. The work continues.

[@sknmwms6516]

SHE reminds me of Leslie UGGAMS! BUT BYRANT HAS A BETTER VOICE AND LOOK! REST IN POWER QUEEN MOTHER ❤️🖤💚💯

[@MsNerdsRevenge]

I don't feel it was lost. I feel it is tied to a 1919 lost silent film. The Homesteaders. It was about a black man who married a black women, yet loved and left for his white woman. It premiered in Chicago. State flower 🌼 of Alaska is the Forget me Not. Who keeps betraying Alaska around here.

[@joelj2855]

Thanks for the video!!! Do not miss out = 'Promo SM' !