The Soundies #16

Better known as a gospel singer, Sister Rosetta Tharpe also sang blues and pop songs with the Lucky Millinder Orchestra.  Here she sings "Lonesome Road," from 1941. Millinder can be seen leading the band. The pianist is Bill Doggett, who switched to the organ in the '50s and had a big hit with "Honky Tonk." I'm about 90% certain that the tenor saxophone solo is by Stafford "Pazuza" Simon. Simon usually wore glasses, but I think he took them off for his big closeup.

As a bonus, here's the same cast of characters doing "Four or Five Times."

Other R&B vocalists with the Millinder band included Annisteen Allen, Wynonie Harris and Benjamin "Bull Moose" Jackson.