Albert and Mamie Anderson (in costume).

Known as “Southern Plantation Sketch Performers,” they performed an act called “Echoes of de Ole Mississippi”. The couple were among the first African American husband and wife team to create their own touring ensemble which was called Lady Africa.

Albert (Al) Anderson was born in Keokuk, Iowa where he also died at age fifty-seven. Brother of York Anderson, a quartet singer who later gained acclaim as a member of Eclipse Quartet.

Married to Mamie (Riley) Anderson, also a vaudevillian, with whom he performed. With his brother York, he formed the Euclid Quartet, which toured the East with great success. The two brothers then joined Whalen & Martell's South Before the War (circa 1891), with Al as comediane and York as the singer. Al's wife and two other brothers all performed the Slavery Days Co (1893).

Al and Mamie next toured with Sam T. Jack's The Creole Show (mid-1890s), after which they went into vaudeville as a team of Al and Mamie Anderson, performing comedy and dramatic sketches as their act. They later organized their own show, Lady Africa(also known as Lady Africa Minstrels, which toured the Northeastern and New England states (1901-1904).

After Mamie's retirement, Al continued to perform with other partners, including 'Happy' Billy Briggs (as the 'Colored Comedy Kings'), and finally with J Hamilton Goins (a gospel singer), with whom he toured for more than twenty years as the team of Anderson & Goins.