Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States
Died
21 January 1989 (aged 74)
Billy Tipton, born Dorothy Lucille Tipton in Oklahoma City in 1914, was a jazz pianist. He found opportunities for women in this area quite limited–indeed, his KC, MO high school did not allow girls to join its marching band. He studied jazz piano and sax anyway. Dorothy began performing as a man in 1933. Billy played piano with Louvenie’s Western Swingbillies, Scott Cameron, George Meyer, and Ross Carlyle before founding The Billy Tipton Trio, featuring Dick O'Neill (drums) and Kenny Richards (bass). The Trio recorded two albums of jazz standards for Tops Records. Offere… read more
Billy Tipton, born Dorothy Lucille Tipton in Oklahoma City in 1914, was a jazz pianist. He found opportunities for women in this area quite limited–indeed, his KC, MO high school did not allow girls to join its marching band. He studied jazz piano and sax anyway. Dorothy began performin… read more
Billy Tipton, born Dorothy Lucille Tipton in Oklahoma City in 1914, was a jazz pianist. He found opportunities for women in this area quite limited–indeed, his KC, MO high school did not allow girls to join its marching band. He studied jazz piano and sax anyway. Dorothy began performing as a man in 1933. Billy played piano with Louvenie’s Western Swingbill… read more
