Julia Lee
Born 1902 · Age 123
American blues and "dirty blues" singer-pianist from Kansas City, best known for her double-entendre songs and postwar R&B hits such as "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It" and "King Size Papa."
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Julia Lee and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Boonville, Missouri
Julia M. Lee born in Boonville; raised in Kansas City.
Family moves to Kansas City (raising & early performances)
By 1910 the Lee family was living in Kansas City where Julia performed in church socials, house parties and with her father's string trio as a child.
Received first piano
Obtained her first piano at age 10; early musical training with family and local ragtime pianists.
Reported Lincoln High School graduation (per some sources)
Some sources state Julia graduated Lincoln High in 1917 (conflicts exist with other sources reporting 1919).
Began collaboration with brother George E. Lee
Started a long (about 15-year) period performing with brother George E. Lee in his trio/novelty orchestra around 1918–1919; early professional work.
Graduated Lincoln High (alternate account)
Alternate, better-documented accounts list Julia as a Lincoln High School graduate in 1919.
Married Frank Duncan (first marriage)
Married Frank Duncan, later catcher/manager for Kansas City Monarchs; marriage reported 25 Sep 1919.
Performed regularly in East Twelfth St. black district
Early career performances in Kansas City's East Twelfth Street nightlife (speakeasies, pool halls, theaters).
Birth of son Frank Duncan III
Her only child, Frank Duncan III, was born on June 1, 1920. He later became a professional ballplayer (pitcher).
Possible 1923 OKeh recording session (unreleased)
Reported that two records were recorded for OKeh in 1923 in Chicago but were never released; documentation uncertain.
First known studio recordings for Meritt Records
Recorded with the Meritt label in 1927 with George E. Lee's orchestra; Julia played piano on 'The Meritt Stomp' and sang on sides.
Married Johnnie C. Thomas (second marriage recorded)
Marriage to Johnnie C. (Johnnie C.) Thomas recorded in Oklahoma City on July 6, 1927 (sources vary on timing and duration).
Brunswick recording sessions (Nov 1929)
Recorded with George E. Lee's Novelty Singing Orchestra for Brunswick in Nov 1929: 'He's Tall, Dark and Handsome' and 'Won't You Come Over to My House' credited to the orchestra (later re-released with Julia's name).
Major car crash affecting touring
Sustained injuries (or was involved in a severe band automobile crash in 1930) that contributed to her disliking of touring thereafter.
Shared piano duties with Count Basie during Moten-Lee merger
During a 1932/1933 merger of George E. Lee's band with Bennie Moten's, Julia shared piano duties with Count Basie briefly.
Featured in combined Moten–Lee engagements
Participated in the brief 1933 consolidation and subsequent split with Bennie Moten's group; performed in major KC venues including the Cherry Blossom and Harlem Night Club.
Began long residency at Milton's Tap Room
Started performing at Milton's Tap Room (a white nightclub in Kansas City) in 1934 and remained a central attraction there until about 1950.
Launched solo career
After George E. Lee's orchestra disbanded, Julia embarked on an independent solo career and became a Kansas City jazz/blues star.
Positive Billboard reviews of Milton's engagement
Dave E. Dexter Jr. and Billboard reviewers praised Julia's performances at Milton's in 1938 and 1939, raising her local profile.
Barred from singing at Milton's by liquor control
Kansas City liquor control decision in Jan 1941 prevented Milton Morris from rehiring her, citing the 'type of song she sang' (controversial local action).
First Capitol Records session (History of Jazz)
Dave Dexter Jr. supervised Julia's first Capitol session in KC on Nov 1, 1944 (remakes of 'Come On Over to My House' and 'Trouble in Mind').
Premier Records session — 'Lotus Blossom'
Recorded for H.S. (Bert) Somson's short-lived Premier label; notable track 'Lotus Blossom' (aka 'Marijuana').
Formation/branding of 'Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends'
Capitol sessions credited to 'Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends' began in mid-1946; band often included top-flight jazz artists.
'Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got' released (R&B #3)
Released 'Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got' (a top R&B jukebox/radio hit), reached #3 on R&B charts in 1946.
Recorded with prominent musicians on Capitol sessions
Session personnel over time included Jay McShann, Vic Dickenson, Benny Carter, Red Norvo, Red Nichols, Nappy Lamare and Jack Marshall.
Signed to Capitol Records (official contract) and Hollywood session
After DJs revived her 1944 Capitol sides, Dave Dexter signed her to Capitol in Aug 1946 and brought her to Hollywood for sessions credited to 'Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends.'
'(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It' reaches No.1
Her most commercially successful single, topping the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1947; later reported to have sold about 500,000 copies.
'I'll Get Along Somehow' hits R&B #5
Single 'I'll Get Along Somehow' charted at #5 R&B in May 1947.
Manager Johnny Tumino promotes national bookings
After late-1947 Capitol successes, manager Johnny Tumino secured bookings in New York and Los Angeles for Julia Lee.
Major jukebox/radio popularity surge
DJs and jukebox play pushed Julia's 1944–1947 Capitol sides to major popularity, prompting Capitol to sign and promote her actively.
Nov 1947 Capitol session produced several hits
November 1947 Capitol session produced songs including 'King Size Papa' and 'I Didn't Like It the First Time (The Spinach Song)'; manager Johnny Tumino booked NYC/LA gigs after this success.
'King Size Papa' No.1 R&B (nine weeks)
The record 'King Size Papa' hit No.1 on R&B charts for approximately nine weeks during spring 1948.
Performances at Apollo Theater (NYC)
Appeared at the Apollo Theater in May 1948 as part of national engagements following record success.
Performance at Million Dollar Theater (Los Angeles)
Performed in Los Angeles at the Million Dollar Theater in September 1948 during her increased national profile.
Released 'Christmas Spirits' (peaked Jan 1949 #16 R&B)
Capitol released 'Christmas Spirits' Christmas 1948; it reached #16 on R&B chart in Jan 1949.
Capitol releases and censorship concerns
Some Capitol releases (e.g., 'Don't Come Too Soon') drew Billboard warnings for 'blue' lyrics; her risqué style was controversial yet commercially successful.
Sang at White House Correspondents' dinner
Performed 'King Size Papa' at a White House Correspondents' Association dinner on March 5, 1949, before President Harry S. Truman.
'You Ain't Got It No More' reaches R&B #9
Final big charting hit, reaching #9 on R&B charts in Nov 1949.
Residency at Milton's Tap Room ends (c.1950)
Her long run at Milton's Tap Room effectively concluded around 1950, with only brief out-of-town appearances thereafter.
Last Capitol-era recording sessions ('Goin' to Chicago Blues')
Her last session with Capitol produced 'Goin' to Chicago Blues' and other sides in 1952; Capitol promotion declined afterward.
Recorded for Damon Records
Released singles for Damon Records in 1953 including 'Scat You Cats' and 'I Can't See How'; some material may have been lost after Vic Damon's death.
Screen appearance in Robert Altman's early film (reported)
Made a film appearance in The Delinquents (film by Robert Altman) — sources conflict on exact year (some cite 1955; others 1957).
Continued Kansas City performances (Cuban Room)
Remained active locally, performing in Kansas City nightspots such as the Cuban Room in the mid-1950s.
Foremost Records releases (1957 singles)
Recorded for Foremost in 1957; singles include 'Bop and Rock Lullaby' and reissues of 'King Size Papa' and 'Saturday Night'.
Died in Kansas City of a heart attack
Julia Lee died in her home in Kansas City during an afternoon nap on December 8, 1958; cause listed as heart attack.
Contemporary obituary and limited public attention
Her passing initially attracted limited national attention, eclipsed by other prominent deaths; local recognition persisted.
Scholarly reappraisal (All Roots Lead to Rock notes)
Bill Millar's extensive notes and later boxed-set reissues (e.g., Bear Family 'Kansas City Star' box) re-evaluated Julia Lee as an eloquent Kansas City jazz/blues stylist beyond bawdy novelty.
Modern coverage and NPR retrospective
Recent retrospectives (e.g., NPR, Kansas City Magazine) revisited her legacy and role as a pioneer of risqué blues.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Julia Lee and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Philip Fisher
Born 1907 · Age 118
American investor and author; pioneer of growth investing and proponent of long-term, 'scuttlebutt' research. Founder of Fisher & Co. and author of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.
Rachel Carson
Born 1907 · Age 118
American marine biologist, nature writer, and conservationist whose sea trilogy and Silent Spring (1962) advanced marine conservation and helped catalyze the modern environmental movement.
Grace Hopper
Born 1906 · Age 119
American computer scientist, pioneering programmer, inventor of early compilers/FLOW‑MATIC contributor to COBOL, and U.S. Navy rear admiral. One of the first programmers of Harvard Mark I; author of the first computer manual.
Viktor Frankl
Born 1905 · Age 120
Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor and founder of logotherapy; author of Man's Search for Meaning and major influence on existential and humanistic psychology.
Harry Harlow
Born 1905 · Age 120
American psychologist known for maternal-separation, contact-comfort and social isolation experiments on rhesus monkeys; long-time professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; influential and controversial in developmental and comparative psychology.
Deng Xiaoping
Born 1904 · Age 121
Chinese statesman and paramount leader of the PRC (1978–1989) who led Reform and Opening-up and developed 'socialism with Chinese characteristics'.