Julia Lee and her Boy Friends

One of the grand dames of midwestern jazz, Julia Lee ( 1902 - 1958) was queen of the Kansas City speakeasy' scene for many years. Known as "Kansas City's Sweetheart of Song,"she started her professional career in 1917, as an intermission pianist at a local theater and soon moved into work in the clubs lining 12th Street. She joined her brother George E. Lee's Orchestra during 1920-1934 and became a top local draw with her own act that incorporated her barrelhouse jazz piano playing with bawdy