Toni Elling

Toni Elling is a black American burlesque performer and said to be the inspiration for Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll. Elling was born Rosita Sims in 1928, and was one of the premier ecdysiast of her day. Her stage name Toni Elling is an anagram of her friend and mentor’s name Duke Ellington. According to Elling, she had a friend named Rita Revere that was a dancer who encouraged … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Performers