Yes, it goes back to the overlap between success on the (music hall) stage and on early recordings https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-47941-1 This just came out: hopefully you have access to a library that subscribes? Coz otherwise pricey... Sent from my iPad > On Jan 28, 2021, at 10:40 AM, Rob Bamberger <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi Corey -- > > That's right about the gender distinction. What I'm raising is why > performers whom we do not think of as comics, but as a singer, might be > described as a "comedian" or "comedienne" on the label. For example, the > Victor label on the Bioswell Sisters' first recording made in New Orleans > describes them as "Comedians." > > On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 1:34 PM Corey Bailey <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > >> I've always thought that 'Comedian' referred to a male comic & that >> 'Comedienne' referred to a female comic. I could be wrong though.... >> >> Be safe, >> >> CB >> >> Corey Bailey Audio Engineering >> www.baileyzone.net >> >> On 1/28/2021 10:03 AM, Rob Bamberger wrote: >>> "Comedian" and "Comedienne" as artist designations on record labels >> into >>> the 1920s? It's a use of these words in a broader context than the >>> conventional sense. Was it meant simply to identify someone as a >> "popular" >>> rather than classical or "serious" artist? Is it meant to be associated >>> with performers who might be seen in vaudeville or theater who had acts >>> that combined some comic patter or exchange, followed by song (or dance). >>> Is there a precise intention that has been written about, or discovered >> in >>> primary materials? >>> Thanks for your comments. >>> Rob