A jazz musician from Tooting is going to receive a historic blue plaque to commemorate her musical achievements.

Sadie Crawford, a Jazz pioneer, spent her childhood at 143 Fountain Road and was one of first British female musicians to play with American jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong.

A blue plaque will be put up on former home in Fountain Road, Tooting, making her the first women to be commemorated in Tooting this way.

Born Louisa Marshall in 1885, she came from poverty to perform jazz internationally and played in countries such as American and Australia.

She died aged 80 in 1965, after spending the last 30 years of her life in America however she often returned to England to visit family members.

The unveiling will be on Saturday, June 16 and Sadie’s great nephew Stephen Willis and other family members will be present.

Stephen has agreed to play original 1920s recordings by his great aunt Sadie Crawford in his talk about her interesting life.

The event starts at 2pm, with details of the ceremony being finalised. There will be a talk from leading jazz historian Howard Rye and a poetry recital from John Byrne.

Attendees are invited to bring an instrument or ‘anything they can make noise with’ to join a jazz parade from Fountain Road to St Mary’s Church, Summerstown where refreshments and teas will be provided.

The funds for the plaque have been raised through local walks by Tooting historian Geoff Simmons.

If you would like to join the next walk and contribute to Sadie’s plaque, meet outside Tooting library at 3:30pm on Saturday, May 26 for ‘Entertaining Tooting’ walk.

Before the walk at 2pm, Stephen Willis will be giving a talk on his Great Aunt in the library and playing some of her recordings.

For more information, contact Geoff Simmons on email: rgbsimmons182@gmail.com