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[[image - black & white photograph of Velma Middleton]]

VELMA MIDDLETON

Velma Middleton burst into this world of swing in St. Louis, Mo., just 24 years ago. Decided at the age of 6 she wanted to embrace the footlight profession and was encouraged by her parents who discovered that it was a losing fight to try and argue Velma out of anything. Started her professional career after a series of amateur theatricals, with Blanche Calloway, then followed engagements with Erksine Hawkins, Jimmy Lunceford and other top notch attractions. Velma served her apprenticeship on the road with different Units and made her debut in New York City at the Kit Kat Club just four years ago. She remained there by popular demand for two years after which she played some of the most important spots in the East.

Velma says she tips the scale at 105 and nobody argues with her. Dances like a lightweight and knows all the rudiments of dancing having studied in St. Louis under the finest teachers. She is a contradiction to her own profession because she is a devotee of the classics and never misses a symphony concert when she can help it. Hobbies consist of swimming, dancing and bicycling and any morning will find her in Central Park on her wheel. Velma says her pet aversion is cooking and household duties but thinks she might change her mind some day. We think she will too.