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Theatricals Music Features
ON THE AIR
(By Saliye Bell for ANP)
Well, Christmas and New Year
Year have come and gone leaving
us happier than they found us and
Mere determined than ever to turn
•ver a new leaf. I suggested last
■week that one of your resolutions
might be to give me more support
in nay fan mail campaign, starting
out with a letter to the manufact
urers of Fitch's Dandruff Remover
Shattnpoo, the sponsors of Fitch’s
baadwagon hoard Sunday evenings
and featuring name band8 which
have not yet included a colored ag
gregation. If you didn’t get around
to writing the letter last week, it’s
still not too late; write it now.
The Taylor family appeared en
masse on a benefit program at the
Metropolis club last week, Eva Tay
lor, radio and recording and stage
artist, her husband and accompan
ist, Clarence Williams, and their
daughter, Irene, who has a voice
almost as strong as her mother,
and who was well received on her
first public appearance.
The Clarence Williams Music
Compony Publishing Co. has re
cently signed with an Italian publ
isher to handle their song.-4 rin
Italy and its colonies. Among the
numbers to be distributed over
there are: “Blues Why Don’t You
Let Me Alone,” “Swing, Brother,
Swing.” "Where Have You Gone,”
“Everybody Loves M' Baby,” and
Clarence William slatest song,
“I’m Falling For You.”
Alberta Hunter, brought back to
the States from Paris by NBC.,
recently sang Will Marion Cook’s
first popular song in over 20 year®
—“A Little Bit of Heaven Called,
Home”—over an NBC chain. In her
song renditions, Alberta ranks with
tho world’s greatest.
It is interesting to note that
when Sam Balter WGN’s (Chicago)
sports commenator, nominated ten
sportsmen for the most outstanding
sporting events of the year, Henry
Armstrong headed the list for win
ning three boxing titles. Joe Louis
was seventh for his first round ka
yo of Max Schmeling.
Despite announcements Louis
Armstrong did ont appear on the
OB Show opposite the McCarthy
show as per schedule. In Richmond,
Va., local station WRTD is fea
turing a new program believed to
be the only colored children’s pro
gram on a local station. The pro
gram is titled “Swanee River Kid
dies,” and consists of talent rang
ing from four to sixteen, with Le
roy Howard director and announc
er. The shows features music, songs
and dances of Negroes past and
present Erskine Hawkins and his
‘Bama State Collegians will play at
the Mecca Temple, New York City,
on Jan. 7. Chick Webb and his or
chestra, a sever featuring Ella
Fitzgerald will play a charity ball
for the Church of the Sacred Heart
at Manhattan Center on Jan. 20.
See you next week.
RATING THE
RECORDS
(by Frank Marshall Davis for
ANP)
FIVE FOR COLLECTORS: Ser
ious students of jazz are always
intensely interested in the compos
itions and performances of Duke
Ellington and his band. To this
writer, his greatest title among a
large selection of amazingly fine
compositions is Black and Tan
Fantasy, a number that shows
Duke at his weirdest and most pre
cise best.
Last summer the Duke recorded
PROLOGUE TO BLACK AND
TAN FANTASY and NEW
BLACK AND TAN FANTASY for
Brunswick. They were released
at different times, with the pro
logue appearing recently. They
are a highly interesting contrast to
the Black and Tan recorded 10
years ago and released on Victor
21137 in which the great Bubber
Miley blew his immortal trumpet.
Although Duke is still Duke, bis
musical ideas have changed consid
erably in a decade. He is now giv
en to more intricate harmonic
structures, more elaborate scoring.
His music is still of black Africa,
but of an Africa that has assimil
f
a ted the finest in the white world.
Ellington is never stilted or dated;
as soon as the rest of the boys
learn some of his musical tricks,
ho has perfected more dar'ng ones.
This means that the new inter
pretation of Black and Tan is some
thing Duke could not have recorded
10 years ago. The old Victor
waxing was taken at a faster tem
| po; Ellington now uses the same
lunda mental tuno over two comp
lete sides in a slower mood and em
bellished with ultra-modern rhyth
mic patterns. Each soloist acquits
himself well; the ensemble playing
I is magnificent; and although Coot
i io Williams, good as he is, can not
touch Miley, his moaning horn is
| grand. The numbers are particul
t arly interesting to anybody with
| the old Victor release, but even
! without it the discs belong in the
musical library of everybody in
terested in modem music, whether
swing or standard.
New Black and Tan is backed
with STEPPING INTO SWING
SOC.IETY, a finely performed
number with a sensational rhyth
mic background. Backing PRO
LOGUE is PLEASE FORGIVE
j ME which shows Duke in a nice,
sweet mood. The records are
Brunswick 8063 and 8256.
oooooo
After Ellington, the greatest hot
b'-m1 in th"> game today is that of
Count Easie who incidentally
sneaks in a totally different jazz
id m. His “JUMPIN’ AT THE
WOODSIDE and DARK RAPT
URE have just been released on
Dr.-n-. 2212. Th? second t'tle, tak
e” from the Universal picture of
th same name, hn an excellent
vocal bv Helm Humes and the
piece has the typical Basie touch.
But the Woodside selection is one
of those rousing stomps that make
you want to shout. The piece
starts off innocently enough like
a finger exercise for piano. Sud
denly Jo Jones comas in on drums
and before many notes slide by the
boys are in the groove and swing
ing for dear life. The band has
tremendous drive and each soloist
is at his best. Jumpin’ is easily
one of Basie’s best performances
on wax.
oooooo
One of the greatest records in
the" history of jazz is JUST A
MOOD filling both sides of Bruns
wick 7973. It was recorded by
Teddy Welslon’s quartet consisting
of the leader on piano, John Sim
mons on string bass, Red Norve on
xylophone and Harry James, ace
of Benny Goodman’s brass section,
on trumpet
James, Wilson and N -ve in turn
interppret the mood, a slow blues
number. But it is not like other
blues. Each member of the quar
tet plays as tenderly as a mother
crooning a lullaby or a forsaken
weman quietly but feelingly sobb
ing for her lost love. This is emo
tional and sincere jazz and the kind
of record made only once in a pur
ple moon. It belongs in that sel
ect circle of perfect performances
including Louis Armstrong’s “West
End Blues” on Okeh, Bessie Smith
“St. Louis Blues”, Benny Goodmans
“Sing Sing Sing” and Ellington’s
“Creole Love Call’’ and “Black and
Tan Phantasy.”
-0O0———
NORVELL TO MAKE DEBUT
North High’s prominent colored
singing artist, Vercylee Norvell,
shall make his North side debut,
when he is presented about the
third week in January in a pre
song recital by his accompanist,
and very talenfted pianist, Miss Ed
•Rose Willis.
This will be presented at one of
the local chuches. Probably during
the month of March, we will hear
him in his 1939 Song Review.
Watch this paper for the dates.
-0O0..
COUNT BASIE AIRS HIS
VIEWS ON MUSIC
New York City, Dec. 3d—(By
Rothschild Francis for ANP)—Re
cent criticism of Negro artist by
Germany’s Nazi-controlled press
last week prompted Count Basie,
famed colored orchestra leader to
air his views in the New York
Post. Drawing a sharp distinction
between ‘Kultur’ and 'Culture,' the
Count said:
“Despite the duspeptic. bellowing
of raco purifiers and their contri
bution to the downfall of all crea
tive art, music is still the univer
(Music Feature* & Photo Syndicate, N. Y.)
DUKE ELLINGTON'S real name is Edward Kennedy Ellington . . .
Tommy Dorsey has figured that in his years of trombone-toothig
he has blown enough air to fill a blimp ■ . . Jascha Heifeu' suggestion
OI ci UHCl aUvIlvw
at the end of
concert broad
casts is all well
and good, but
thus far listeners
have been their
own judges as
to when the sil
ence period
should begin.
Often it occurs
at the start of a
program . .
Louis Keia "Sweetie seems
as dead in Tin Pan Alley as ’’tootsie
i wootsie.” Nor is any attention paid
any more to “ba-by.” But the song
writers’ moon keeps a-shinin’ .
Shrewdest showman in the musical
world is Leopold Stokowsky. Head
lines are as easy -for him as Bach.
. . . The old tune, “Aw Gee, Be
Sweet To Me, Kid,” is being resur
rected by the swing boys. , . .
Seldom hear hillbillies play the
old hoedowns os grandpappy and
Uncle Freedom mould hare liked to
hare had them played. Maybe, it's
because too many of the hillbillies
come from the slopes of Broadway.
They’re Family Men
Orchestra leaders, as a rule, arc
family men, despite their nomadic
existence. Whiteman takes great
pride in his young son.' Olsen has
two children. Besfor’s particular
joy is a young daughter. Ishaip
Jones is a proud father. So is Ilal
Kemp. Emil Coleman is training
his son for a maestro’s career.
Curiously, only a handful of
dance band batoneers are composers
or lyricists and belong to the im
posing membership of the American
Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers. The select list includes
! Rudy Vallee (he was part author of,
i among other things, “Deep Night”
and “Betty Co-Ed”), Wayne King,
Isham Jones, whose “I’ll See You in
My Dreams” still gets a big play
annually; A1 Goodman, concocter of
innumerable popular arrangements;
Ernie Golden, Duke Ellington, Ted
Fiorito, Jerry Livingston.
Of all maestros, none takes great
er pride in past associations than
Jack Denny. He likes to recall that
he was official jazz dispenser to the
Duke of Windsor (then Prince of
Wales) and Prince George during
their visit to Canada some years
ago. Denny got a leave of absence
from the Montreal hotel where he
was playing, spent five weeks with
the royal brothers, airing the latest
American dance tunes for them at
their various stops in the Dominica
He never worked, he relates, for
more considerate, more appreciative
employers. Though Wales, he
found, was somewhat bored with
the social world, brother George
was as enthusiastic, as ready for a
good time as a boy out of military
school.
Can't recall ever having heard the
Red Caps Intnd of the Grand Central
- .. ..-rt-T-- ■ --n
Duke Ellington, A.S.C.A.P.
(Band Leader and composer of
“Solitude”.)
Terminal, Maybe, they're petting
ready jor the World's Fair visitors.
We’ve always wanted to know how
really to appreciate the tango. It
has remained for Xavier Cugat to
tell. He, if anyone, should know.
Advises Cugat:
“If you cannot dance, then have
a bottle of sherry at your elbow and
a plate of Andalusjan fritters on
your lap.”
p-P-p
Titles of some recent unsolicited
contributions of amateur songwrit
ers, unduly concerned with life, to
Broadway music publishers: “I Owe
Everybody in Iowa,” “It Ain’t Love,
So It Must Be Hate,” "My Tele
phone Will Always Be Busy to You,
You Rat.”
It's hard to believe, but the boys
have written words to Saint-Sacns’
“Danse Macabre." Newell Chase has
prepared a vocal interpretation of
the eerie composition.
sal language and no great prooi'(
is necessary than the Carnegie
Hall concert at Which I have the
honor to be presented. The fact
that members of the colored race
are invited to sing o rplay iu this
citadel of American fosters it.”
The management of Garniegie Hall
maintains that ‘art has no color
line.”
FOOTLIGHT
FLICKERS
by ALVIN MOSES
(for ANP)
New York, Jan. 5—JOHN DAN
CER, dance arranger and produc
er, is proving to be a most genial
host at ‘‘YE PLANTATION CLUB
—one of the better night-life places
especially designed for—World’s
Fair Trade. We won’t tell you
too much about the excellence of
the sepia floor show,—just take our
tip and drop in one night from
nine until—.
XXX OCX
NOBLE SISSLE might rightful
ly be called the best business man
among lead($rs and directors of
“name bands”. The former part
ner of Eubie Blake opened with his
aggregation in the swellegant new
BILLY ROSE CLUB.—and that’s
the kind of ticket they pay off on
at the i-ace track windows.
xxxxxX
SAYS JOHN CHAPMAN,
“DAILY NEWS”—“There are 19
colored actors, headed by Ethel
Waters, in—‘‘Mamba’s Daughters”
which is rehearsing at the Empire
theatre. Last Monday, following
Equity regulations, they were paid
$20 rehearsal money each and a
stud poker game started immed
iately in a dressing room. In an
hour three of the cast had all the
money.”
XXXXXX
NOW WOULDN’T CHA LIKE
TO KNOW,—who comprised the
unholy trio? ?—bet you would too!
xxxxxX
LEW LESLIE’S BLACKBIRDS
who have had some stormy pre-op
ening moments due to financial
^difficulties,—will positively open
this week—Lew Leslie, says so,—
himself!*!
xxxxxx
PATRONS of the HIPPO
DROME, where “Jai Ali’’, has dis
placed all other past-times Jn a
musement circles, remain silent
until it becomes deathlike while
blind WILLIE JOHNSON sweetly
warbles,—“Ain’t nobody's fault but
mine.’’
xxxxxx
JIMMY MARSHALL, manager
of the country’s leading vaudeville
house catering to colored perform
ers, devotes as you know, 52
weeks each year to bring to New
York the finest in the amusement
field money can tempt.
xxxxxx
After much consideration and de
liberation, we voted the following
army of satellites last season’s best
attractions, whether taken from
the box-office appeal (boy, that’s
important)—or pure fan interest.—
BILL ROBINSON, COUNT BA
SIE, DUKE ELLINGTON, CAB
CALLOWAY, ETHEL WATERS,
“FATS” WALLER, LOUIS ARM
STRONG, WILLIE BRYANT (‘Em
eeo’’ or as ork leader), CHICK
WEBB.
From our vantage point back in
tho wings, we derive pleasure wat
ching the faces of jewel bedecked
ladies of pallid complexions loudly
applauding the weekly offerings of
Noble Sissle, Earl (Father) Hines,
i Erskine (Trumpet King) Hawkins.
Lucky (watch my leap) Millinder.
LOVELY AVIS ANDREWS, Geo
rgs Dewey Washington, Ruby Elzy,
Buck and Bubbles, Eddie (Cotton
Clubl Mallory, Blanche Calloway,
Florida Serenaders, Claude Hop
k ns, Don (Arrangement Master)
Redmon, Edgar Hayes, Fletcher
Henderson, Eubie Blake, Tiny Brad
■.haw, Ernest Whiteman, Chick Car
; ter, et al. The incomparable fun
i stars: "Pigmeat” Markham, Geo
rge Wiltshire, Jimmy Baskette,
Sandy Burns, Dusty Fletcher, Swan
ar/i Lee. and that darling of them
all—VIVIAN HARRIS.
xxxxxx
ANDY KIRK, with sweet singing
PHA TERREL and that gracious
queenbee of the twinkling ivories,
may turn out to be the surprise
band of 1939.
"ST. LOUIS WOMAN” and “GO
DOWN MOSES" TO FOLLOW
"RUN LITTLE CHILLUN”, IF
IT EVER CLOSES
Los Angeles, Jan. 5 (ANP)
That the Negro r/,it of the Feder
' al Theatre project, hailed for ts
current success in "Run Little
■Chillun”, will be brought a step
closer to its ideal of a Negro Art
theatre, was suggested in a state
nient released this week by James
R. U'llman, newly appointed direc
tor for FTP. of Southern Californ
ia,
"From the archives of American
history—both past and present, we
aro considering, a living newspap
er dramatization of the Negro and
his struggles in the United Stutes
to be done by the capable cast of
players within the Los Angeles
| un't,” Ullman stated.
‘‘Because of the success of “Run
Little Chillun,” and its contribution
: to the local project in helping to
popularize federal theatre produc
tions, we aim to keep the unit work
ing.” While no closing date for
‘Run, Little Chillun’ is announced
several future plays for the unit
are being considered. Among them
Is "St Louis Woman," by Arna
Bontemps and Countee Cullen.
“Go Down Moses”, ’.y Theodore
Brown, which depicts the life of
Harriet Tubman, a slave woman
: who made a career of leading her
peoplo to freedom through the un
derground railroad, is also on the
list of possible productions.
RANKED WITH ALL-TIME
GREATS—
The foremost white figure in
swing was that of Bix Beiderbecke
who died several years ago. As a
trumpet player he ranks with such
all-time greats as Armstrong, Joe
Smith, King Oliver, and Freddie
Keppard and Bubber Miley. He
died before the present interest in
swing, but thank8 to records, ex
amples of his marvelous easy style
are with us.
Recently his JAZZ ME BLUES
and AT THE JAZZ BAND BALL
were reissued on Vocation 3042.
Bix was greatly influenced by King
: Louis, but he was nevertheless able
to develope an original style. This
record not only shows him at his
sensitive best, including * brilliant
solo on the Jazz Me side, but prov
! es that the boys of several years
ago could gave out as well as most
of the hot men today. Adrian Rol
lini on the bass sax sets a standard
that otrers on that instrument
would do well to study closely.
All of the five records listed be
long in your record lebrary no mat
ter whether you are a jitterbug or
a serious student of swing music.
20
Cent Discount
on Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Cash and Carry
Edholm and Sherman
Launderers & Dry Cleaners
WE 6055
~~ * 'he thrilling
* Tories-oft;
I ANDERSON
E LOUIS
ER DIVINE
ELLINGTON
ER WHITE
NW. CAR VS
E SULUVSt
tOBlNSON
L WATERS
<3L are the sensational
me TRUK LIFE STORIES of
colored celebrities who climbed
to fame and fortune against tre
mendous handicaps. TOPS takes
you backstage and tells you their
struggles, their secrets of success,
their private and public lives.
Many unusual photographs. A
beautiful, inspiring magazine for
the whole family. Get TOPS at
your ncusstand today.
If sold out, send 25c to
PHAMK PUBLISHING CO.
9 Rockefeller Plata. N. Y. C.
*T— — ' —
1Rent>c3vous grille
(formerly the Apex Har)
A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF LIQUORS—BEERS AND
WINE
SPACIOUS DANCE FLOOR — NEWLY DECORATED
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==—SCHMOLLER & MUELLER5”5
We ore making o CLEAN-SWEEP of every trade-in, demonstrator
and sample instrument in the house , . , prices cut to rock bottom.
Every one must go!
Band and Orchestra
INSTRUMENTS
BRAUDE Oboe, cose . *175
HUMPHREY Bassoon,
Hecbel System. *180
CLARINETS B - Flat Boehm
VICTOR, fine, metal model 22.50
DOUCET, excellent, metal 27.50
DUPRE, nickel plated .... 27.50
FRENCH, wood, a bargain 40.00
DUMONT, wood, big value 47.50
FLUTES — PICCOLOS
3 PICCOLO, D flat, metal.. 39.50
? FLUTE, G Mueller, bargain 57.50
W BARITONE
W CLEVELAND, with ease . 47.50
; FRENCH—ALTO HORNS
TONK Alto Horn, good .. 20.00
JENKINS Mellophone _ 30.00
COUTURIER French, case 47.50
I HUTft. French, with case 79.50
CORNETS —TRUMPETS
SUPER-TONE Cornet, o red bargain.NOW 10.00
CONN Cornet, fine practice instrument.NOW 12.50
EUCLID Trumpet, with case, complete.NOW 17.00
CAVALIER Trumpet, with case, good.NOW 22.50
AMERICAN Professional Trumpet, case.NOW 25.00
BUESCHER Trumpet, with case, fine.NOW 30.00
CONN Trumpet, silver gold bell.NOW 35.00
Ludwig
VI BRA
CELESTE
*225
Koy-Kroft Guitar, case $10
Oahue Guitar, with case $20
Martin Guitar with case $20 ^
Dobra Hawaiian, omplif. $2G M
Get our prices on Gibson B
Electric Guitars . . Spanish- B
Hawaiian models. ™
SAXOPHONES
CONN C Melody, with cose, borgoin..NOW 20.00
MARTIN Alto, with cose, super value__NOW 60.00
CONN Alto, with case, very fine...NOW 60.00
CONN Alto, gold plated, with case.NOW 67.50
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$j2m up
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12 BASS, demonstrators, from 17.50
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