Johnny_Hudgins
Johnny Hudgins
American vaudeville performer
Johnny Hudgins (May 5, 1896 – 1990) was a vaudeville performer. He sometimes performed in blackface. Hudgins was nicknamed the Wah-Wah Man (wah-wah) and was known for his mime performances accompanied by accomplished trumpeters. He was friends with fellow vaudevillian Josephine Baker who he performed with in the show Chocolate Dandies.[1] He was also in the show Lucky Sambo.[2] He used burnt cork to blacken his face and performed with exaggerated white lips in many of his performances.[3] His performances drew rave reviews and imitators. Hudgins sought to copyright his performance art.[4]
Hudgins performed with Florence Mills and was accompanied by trumpeters including Doc Cheatham, Johnny Dunn, Joe Smith (trumpeter), Louis Metcalf and Rex Stewart.[1]