Bessie
Young Bessie
Chorus Guy
Stagehand
Clarence
'81' Theatre Owner
Lucille
Miss Taylor (as Sharan Mansfield)
Rehearsal Director
Chorus Girl (as Onira Tarés)
Chorus Girl
Host
Theatergoer
Ma Rainey
Ma's Main Girl
Pa Rainey
Ma's Dancer
Nightclub Manager
Bessie's Dancer
Roadie
Doreen Dupree
Etta Johnson
Jack Gee
Detroit Theater Manager
Wild Child
Swarm Boy
Viola
Sharkish Man
Hostess (as Saundra Dunson Franks)
Harry Herbert Pace
Black Swan Executive
Black Swan Receptionist
Frank Walker
Richard
Brave Man
Klansman
Doorman
Vanity Fair Editor
Carl Van Vechten
Fania Van Vechten
Langston Hughes
Gertrude (as Chantelle Rose Mussenden)
Jack Gee Jr.
John Hammond
Benny Goodman
Gangster
Shady Guy (as Tim R. McAdams)
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member (as Roderick Harris Jr.)
Bessie's Band Member (as John A. Harvey III)
Bessie's Band Member (as Reginald Hines)
Bessie's Band Member (as Don C. Sherow)
Ma's Band Member
Dancer
Dancer (as Chris Plunkett)
Dancer (as Primas Stanley)
Dancer (as Dacia Stinson)
Dancer (as Alshasi Sherrod Tate Jr.)
Dancer (as Alicia 'Nikki' Thompson)
Background Extra (uncredited)
Theatre Goer (uncredited)
Frank Newton (uncredited)
Railroad Passenger (uncredited)
Stage Crew (uncredited)
Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)
Doorman (uncredited)
Lady in Breadline / Concert Patron / Pedestrian / Audience Member (uncredited)
Ophelia Franklin (uncredited)
Guest at Show for Opening (uncredited)
Upscale Party Goer (uncredited)
Extra (uncredited)
Poker Player #1 (uncredited)
KKK Driver (uncredited)
Body Guard (uncredited)
Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)
Party Guest (uncredited)
Hoover Town Citizen (uncredited)
Roadie (uncredited)
Neighbor #2 (uncredited)
Train Passenger #2 (uncredited)
Grave Yard Worker (uncredited)
Club Patron (uncredited)
Theater Goer (uncredited)
Server (uncredited)
Train Passenger #1 (uncredited)
Jack's Lover (uncredited)
Poker Player (uncredited)
Party-Goer (uncredited)
Party Patron / Concert Goer (uncredited)
Tastemaker (uncredited)
Neighborhood Kid (uncredited)
Cheering Stage Fan (uncredited)
Concert Patron (uncredited)
Singer (uncredited)
Homeless Woman (uncredited)
Pedestrian (uncredited)
Dancer (uncredited)
VIP Guest (uncredited)
Theater Guest (uncredited)
Peanut Seller (uncredited)
Performer (uncredited)
Girl in Family Photograph (uncredited)
Patron (uncredited)
Stage Hand (uncredited)
Club Goer (uncredited)
Pretzel Guy (uncredited)
Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)
Couple at Cocktail Party (uncredited)
Fletcher Henderson (uncredited)
Switchboard Operator (uncredited)