ence received vaudeville's highest honor. She was the star attraction at the Palace Theatre. By heading the bill at the Palace, she became the first black performer to have that honor. In 1926, Florence made a concert appearance at New York's Aeolian Hall, singing four pieces specially written for her by her friend, William Grant, an African American classical composer. The show, "Blackbirds", was conducted by Eugene Goossens in front of a distinguished audience that included Toscaninni and George Gershwin. This was Florence's farewell to her friends and supporters before departing for France, England, and international stardom. "Blackbirds" was a huge success overseas. In April 1927 "Blackbirds" reached its 250th performance, and the strain of two shows per day plus matinees and charity benefits took a heavy toll on Florence. By October of that year she was in a hospital bed with an appendicitis ailment that was beyond repair. Knowing she was dying, Florence sang songs to cheer her caretakers. On November 1, 1927, Florence said her last words, "I don't want anyone to cry when I die.I just want to make people happy." Five days later Harlem saw the largest funeral it had ever seen. Florence Mills was a world-class dancer at age 5. She was skilled in all varieties of jazz and tap dance, and was especially renowned for her acrobatic dancing style. Some of the highest enthusiasm for Florence's dancing came from the experts of classical dance and ballet. They understood that her jazz dancing was art of the highest form. What others had to say about Florence Mills"What hit me about Twinkle [Davis], Alberta [Hunter], and another fine singer in the [Panama Caf] named Florence Mills, was their grace and their dignified, relaxed attitude. Florence, petite and demure, just stood at ease and sang like a hummingbird." ~Mezz Mezzrow (jazz musician)"And Florence Mills, who died very young, is, after all these years, a great ...
