(blues vocal; actress; producer) was born in Georgia in about 1895: per 1930 census, 7 April 1930. She has wrongly been reported as being born in Baltimore in 1900. She may have worked as Idaho Jones. She married actor John Jordan (born about 1884) in about late 1918. She may be the Bertha Jordan, aged 25, married, “Cook, Private family”, who on 14 January 1920 resided in the household of Lynn W. Hudson, white, aged 38, at 77 Penn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia. No husband was listed for her at that address. On Monday 21 March 1927, the Idaho and Harris Music Company (headed by Bertha Idaho and William Harris, producers and principals) commenced a week’s performance, with 25 cast members, at the Savoy theatre, (Ohio and Atlantic Avenues), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show, “Harris In Idaho” (sic), was billed as “a big musical comedy revue” starring Bertha Idaho and Arletta Harris with 25 talented entertainers. The show may not have been as big an attraction as had been hoped, because by 23 March 1927, Clara Smith and her “Black Bottom Revue” had been added without an increase in the admission price. She recorded YOU’VE GOT THE RIGHT EYE, BUT YOU’RE PEEPING AT THE WRONG KEYHOLE (Columbia #14355-D) at New York City on 22 May 1928, backed by pianist Bob Ricketts. In early November 1928, “Georgia Peaches” was presented at the Walker Theatre, Indiana Avenue and West Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, “With Those Two Funny Fellows, HEZEKIAH JENKINS and “IDAHO” – John Jordan”, and “BERTHA IDAHO – Columbia Record Star” was featured. When Bertha Idaho appeared in “Georgia Peaches” at the Dauphine Theatre, (330 Dauphine Street), Algiers, Louisiana commencing on Monday 3 December 1928, she was reported to be “the youngest colored star employed by the Columbia Record Company”. The show’s producer was shown as ‘John Jordan Idaho’ and one ‘Ida Idaho’ was reported to be a principal cast member, alongside Hezekiah Jenkins. The show was featured by the Majestic Theatrical Circuit, Inc. On Friday 28 December 1928, Bertha Idaho was presented at the Friday night midnight “frolic” for white audiences at the 81 Theater, Decatur Street, Atlanta, Georgia, together with the “Georgia Peaches”, comedians Idaho (alias John Jordan) and (Hezekiah) Jenkins; harmonica player “Slim” Smith, and others. Bertha recorded DOWN ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE (Columbia #14437-D) at New York City on 25 May 1929, backed by Ed Allen playing cornet. Although the files indicate Clarence Williams was the pianist, Bertha stated that Tom Delaney was the pianist, and composer credit to (Delaney), who lived at Baltimore from about 1928, tends to confirm that. Titles from the second session have been reissued by CBS LP #63288 and Rosetta LP #RR 1300. Bertha Idaho was featured with “The Georgia Peaches” at the Star Theatre, Annapolis, Maryland, during November 1929: per “The Evening Capital” (Annapolis, Maryland), Monday 11 November 1929, page 6; and Tuesday 12 November 1929, page 6. She was featured at the Star Theatre, Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday 10 December 1929, when “Jordan & Jordan” presented “20 Minutes in Hell”, featuring Jessie Wilson, Herman Higgs and Thelma Baytop. Bertha Idaho, “Recording Star”, was supported by a “Dancing Chorus of Fast Steppers”: per “The Evening Capital” (Annapolis, Maryland), Tuesday 10 December 1929, page 6. Bertha Idaho was featured on a 15-minute program over radio WFBR, Baltimore, at 7:00 pm on Thursday 6 March 1930: per “The Evening Sun” (Baltimore, Maryland), Thursday morning 6 March 1930, page 17; and “The Evening Sun” (Baltimore, Maryland), Thursday 6 March 1930, page 32. Tom Delaney was enumerated, as “Thomas Delaney”, at 933 Wilmer Court, near 919 Middle Court, on Sheet 10A/ Image 18, in Enumeration District 4-283, Block 38 or 39, Ward 17, Baltimore City, Maryland, for the 1930 Census on 7 April 1930. He was shown as aged 46, widow, having married at 36, “Actor, Theatre”. He was sharing a house with John Jorden (sic: 45, married at 33), and Bertha Jorden (34, married at 22), respectively “Actor, Theatre” and “Actress, Theatre”; and with Ed Smith (35, married at 34) and Geneva Smith (19, married at 418), respectively “Musician, Theatre” and “Servant, Private Family”. Mary Green, aged 22, “Actress, Theatre”, lived nearby at 919 Middle Court. Delaney was shown as having been born in South Carolina, to parents from South Carolina. John and his parents were born in Maryland but Bertha and her parents were born in Georgia. This was in the Upton district of Baltimore, near Pennsylvania Avenue. She was in Baltimore, Maryland in 1930 and 1934. For the 1937 Baltimore city directory, Bertha Jordan (widow of John A.), “entertainer”, was the householder at 939 Wilmer Court, Baltimore. In 1940, Bertha Jordan (45, no stated occupation, widow) resided at 939 Wilmer Court, Baltimore, near 605 Greenwillow Street. Lodging with her was Edward Jones (perhaps 20, born Maryland, “Musician, Tavern”). In 1948 she was residing on Greenwillow Street, Baltimore: per E. B. Rea, “Afro-American”, 16 October 1948, discussing Tom Delaney. This area seems to have been redeveloped for a public housing estate. She was still living at Baltimore in 1969, reported Paul Oliver. She may have been known as Bertha Dixie Jordan.
“Screening the Blues”, page200.