The Billboard 1921-08-13: Vol 33 Iss 33 (1921-08-13)

AUGUST 13, 1921 =. The Biliboard 41 CGLORED SHRINERS MEET IN ST. LOUIS ive thousard representatives of the 200 odd temples of Negro Nobles of the Mystle Shrine assembled in a conclave of their imperial council at the Gayety Theater in St. Louis, Mo., on Tuesday, August 2, The session lasted three days, terminating in a parade and grand ball on Thursday afternoon and Friday night, respectively. Frery section of the country was represented, ond practically every delegation included one or more performers or musicians fn its membership. The council was welcomed fo the city by a representative of the Governor and by the Mayor of the city, whose address of welcome should go down into history as one of the most ave efforts toward harmory between the raceg that has been uttered. Mayor Henry Kell proved himeelf to be well informed as to the Negro and bis aspirations. Grand Master Crittenden Fr. Clark extended a welcome on the part of the Mesons of the State, These welcomes were responded to by Hon. Chas. A. Cottrill of Mecca Temple, Toledo, oO. in a manner thet conveyed to the people some additional knowledge of the better Negro. After these open sessions the body went into executive work, ang remained busy until the porede day. The epectacle then offered to the city was one of which any organization may have been justly proud. Prominent among those in the New York delegation wes Maceo Pinkard, the composer, who made the headquarters of that outfit a sort of musical mecca. In this he was assisted materisily by Chas. Thorpe, manager of several musical organizations in New York. The home of Mrs. Hobsom lent itself admirably to such purpose Resides these Chas, Oreath's fifteen in number, garetr of the week. The Rooker T. Washirgton Theater put on a special bill for the Shriners. The acts were Bert Swan ang his alligators, the Dickey-Cox Trio, who are a knockout; Johnson and Watson, and Bell and Bell. The feature of the week was the remarkable achievement of a showmon, who developed the Shrine Band of Medinah Temple, of Ot. Louis, Mo., consisting of Nobles of the Mystic Shriners, a jolly set of young men, whose purpose js to entertain with the music created in the deep wild r@ring West. The band will eventoally oumber eighty nobles and hes equipped itself with ©. G. Conn instruments, including a variety of Lorne seldom used in ordinary bands. This organization had it origin December 18, and has only had sccess to instruments two months, yet its appearance and manner of renditien was highly artistic. The band did not offer an extensive repertoire of numbers, but sech as were played auring the parade were most favorably received and frequently applanded, Prof, William Blue, who organized and trained the berd. fs a Poplar, Mo.. man, and his musical career includes a training at Keeton's School of Musie, conducted by a graduate of the Illinois Conservatory of Music. It ts of Particular interest to eshowfolks to know that Nis experience as a bandmaster was in part obtained with the old Georgia Minstrels, supNWemented by a military training while in charge of the band of the 350th Field Artillery, A. E. FP. Since retiring from the army, he has been conducting a school of music in St. Louts. The Shrine band {is his master accomplishment. The band ts equipped with $5,872 worth of ©. G. Conn instramente, with still more to COLORED PHOTOPLAYS BOOKERTEE FILM 6O., Inc. Now booking Hearts,” 6 redls, and “Reformation,” 6 reels, featuring C.lifornia’s favorite Colored Movie Star, Sidney P. Dones. Foreien riehts for sale. “Write quick to BOOKERTEE FILM CO., Bookertee Bidg., 1718 West Jefferson St. Los Angeles, Cal. The Name “Boo means a box-office attraction Ask anyone. Agents all over the U. 8. A, Jazzo Maniacs, Were contributors to the music as a side Vi Ringrold St., Philadelphia, Pa. et anor NEW STANDARD THEATRE Tat eine Be Na, Paar be delivereq thru the Hunleth Music Co,, of St. Levis, A reed section of 34 pieces is a feature, and gives some unusually harmonious renditions. James Harris is the assistant director. The drum major is McKinley Hardeman, a former S9th Pioneer Infantryman, whose work won for him the odd title of ‘“Majer Mack."’ The K. of P. Band, the John Estes Band and the Sinvms Concert Band, all local organizgtions were in the big parade. Persia Temple of Indianopolis brought with them a large band and a chorus of 48 chanters, both units being composed of members of the Shrine. Scattered thru the membership was a very jarge number of colored professionals. Some of these took part in two midnight shows at the Coliseum, under the direction of H. C. Owsley. a brother of Tim, now with the Georgia Minstrels.’ A REAL PARK IN NASHVILLE Greenwood Park in Nashville is the most pleasing possible blending of the old-fashioned picnic grove and the modern amusement park that has yet been disclosed among those catering to colored people. There are forty acres of hills and dales, with an ever-running spring of ciear, cool water on the premises. Dr. Preston Taylor, a Negro professional man, with well developed business acumen and proven civic spirit is the sole owner. His wife, whose home is om the premises, is the present general manager. He and the pleasant Madam disclaim all knowledge of showmansbip, but edmit having profitably catered to the JA JACKSONS PAGE In The Interest Of The Colored Actor, Actress And Musician Of America. S TOOUR OFFICES, 1495 BROADWA recreational needs of their people in the community, without seriously invading their other interests, The premises are located three miles from the city of Nashville on the street car line and along the Old Hickory macadam road. Couple the latter fact with the information that over four hundred automobiles are owned by Nashville Negroes and one sees a light on the business possibilities. A most excellently laidout bail park, with grandstand, tops a hill in the park. This is operated on a percentage basis by the different teams who play here. A roller coaster is the biggest single concession. Mr. Andrew Powell handles this for the doctor.. Ernest BE. Rice hag a photo gallery. A popular feature that has been there for the more than ten years of the park's existence is the dining pavilion with the suggestive name of “Grandma's Kitchen.”’ Mrs. Taylor personally supervises this. Miss Bertha Holt is the cashier and director of the merry-go-round. Will Johnson Operates a candy wheel. In addition there is equipment for a doll rack, shooting gallery and knife rack. The Dunbar picture theater seats more than 300 people, and at the foot of the hill is the old *‘Giggler.’’ Greenwood Park yields a nice profit, operated ag a side venture, and if any showman could just see the oppdrtunities it offers if exploited to its full capacity, he would join the writer in wondering at Mrs. Taylor’s naive statement that she does not care to add to her worries with a more ambitious policy. HERE AND THERE AMONG THE FOLKS Love and Skanks, a big-time act, are featuring Jack Mills’ songs in their act. Rufus & Fox have opened their new Sunset Cafe in Chicago with Esrl Walker as manager. Dave Payton has placed his new ‘“‘Knockout Blues” on the market. It ig being published in Chice go. “The Chocolate Brown" closed its season with the end of the engagement at the Jabazette, New York. “Emma Jane” is the name composition from the pen of Philadelphia. of a n H. S. Lewis of Jack Johnson was a special attraction at Happylend Park, New York, during the week of July 15. oe T. L. Corwell, for ten years manager of the “Smart Set’ and the “Smarter Set,” is a* Toms River, N. J. Southern orchestras and singers may learn eomething of advantage to their organizations by communicating with the Page. Mrs. Harry Fidler, wife of the Chinese impersonator of the team of Fidler and Perry, * {# visiting in Boston, at 26 Braddock Road. Pace & Pace closed with the “Florida Bilossoms’’ Company at Versailles, Ky., on July 23, and are in Cincy negotiating vaiideville dates. Levey Gavnders and his six-piece fazs orchestra are now with the “‘Hich Tower Review.” Week of August Ist they were in Cotumbus, O. —_—_—— MeMillen & Co., New York, are publishing a collection of Negro folk rhymes, with a critical study, by Thos. W. Talley of Fiske University, Nashville. --—- Oden Hawkins, Tyree Allen and Tom Wade are the efficient etaff of motion picture operators at the Bijou Theater, Nashville. AM are colored. “The Dance of the Arabs” is the name of a new ccempositicn arranged for band and orchestra, by Edward Hudson, 425 Fairfax avenve, St. Lovis, The Rose Apartments, 420 Cedar street, Nashville, a very acceptable stopping place for the profession, is operated by Kenan and Porter. Mr. Porter's restaurant just across the Pa. street is the real thing, and Mrs. Kenan, an old perférmer, has one of the most complete printing plants in the country. . Viola Tatum and James Gentry have joined hands end will be billed as Gentry and Gentry. Mr. Gertry has recently closed with the O’Brien Minstrels. ae Mr. Collins, former business manager of the “Smarter Set’? show, will put out a show this season with Andrew Tribble, Daisy Martin and Leon Colson in the cast. Thomas and Watson, formerly with the “Creole Belles’? Company, are now teaming together on the T. 0. B. A. Time. Had a look at their act in Memphis. Jones and Crumby were at the Harris Theater, Pittsburg, the week of August 1, and will be at the Miles in Cleveland, August 8, and the Miles in Detroit, August 15. Rucker and Winfrey, playing in and around the big city for Loew, were Billboard callers at the New York office. The Page regrets being out of the city at the time. Dr. T. W. Sweet, 345 Beale avenue, Memphis, expects to take his medicine show on the road about September 1, He is awaiting the cotton movement in the tri-State district. “Miss Nellie Foxhall, an Arizona girl, stutying under Prof. Price and Prof. Clark of Philadelphia, Pa., is making a favorable impression on critics of voice culture in the Quaker City. U. 8. Thompson and his wife, members of the Tennessee Ten, the big musical act that was euch a hit in burlesque last season, are having a new act written by James Madison. *““Babe"’ Townsend and Frank Armstrong are each ip charge of q unit of Lafayette Players in the Tidewater territory. The companies are alternating between Newport News and Norfolk. Miss Susie Sutton, formerly of the Chicago unit of the Lafayette Players, has been visiting in Cincinnati. She is enjoying Ife while considering the several offers made her for next season. —_—_—_— Tuskegee (Ala.) University has established a dramatic department. Miss Eliza Coppidge, who will have chnrge, is taking a post-graduate course during the present summer at the Ithaca Conservatory. ————— Miss Camille Nickerson, of New Orleans, bad two manuscripts very favorably passeq op (Oontianed ‘on pare 50) . JAZZLAND, ST. LOUIS -—— As a piece of property, Jazzland may be described as a building fifty by a hundred feet, adjcining a garden of the same size, both of which ore equipped with a dance floor of about 45 per cent of their respective areas. Narrow, intimate little galleries run aroung the sides of the dance hail, and a brorder gallery is situated at tte rear of the garden. This is how the casual observer might describe the Turpin Brothers’ Jazzland at 20th and Market in St. Lous, Mo. Of course, $ is a success, and this is the “how of it, if the idea may be conveyeg to you without the Page appearing to be a press agent. If so, well and good. The place merits it. It represents a most capable combination of good focd, good service, good music and good ordet Years ago, when a certoin lady who was and is yet an acknowledged culinary artist, consented to become the wife of Thomas Turpin, the then world’s champion ragtime piano player. whose “Harlem Blues’’ is the original published “Rag’’; she started a combination that is the very essence of the cabaret. Leng ahout the same period Chas. Turpin, 2 brother, was acquiring an education concerning the public thru the medium of Western adventures, the advertising business and the theater; all of which has culminated in his ownership of the Booker T. Washington Theater in St. Louis and in his being a director of the T. 0. RB. A. Cirenit. A sister of the boys, Mrs. Nannie Thomas, is efficientiy trained in office routine and business practice. All are interested in Jazzland, witn the result that this smooth operating organization is pleasing the publie with what seems to be virtually no effort. Mrs. (Bill) Turpin, as she is affectionately known, personally passes upon every dish that leaves the kitchen during the evening, and approves of all supplies delivered to the big stock room during the day. The kitchen is in charge of Chef Moody in her brief periods of absence. J. Cunningham and Mrs. Little are the other important members of the kitchen force. A dozen waitresses, as neat ard efficient as may be found anywhere care for the service. Many of the white citizens of the city are numbered among the steady patrons of Mrs. “Bill” and her staff. There are table accommodations for three hundred persons on the main floor and gallery. J. R. Powell is in charge of an entertsining orchestra, the members of which are J. A. Drake, Tom Johnson, J. Alston, Mrs. Novella Alston, Floyd B. Casey and George J. Jefferson. Grace Smith, an artist new to use, yet most refreshingly pleasing in her work; and Eloise Johngon, a brown beauty, who some day is going to surprise us, sre the singing ‘entertainers. ‘The work of either is free from the raucousness 60 often noted in cabaret singers. Big Bob Mitchell is the door tender, Addison (Req) Burnett manages the dance floor. The cashiers are Misses Drake, Hamilton and Richardson. . Really Jazzland is an institution of whick the race may well be proud. A BRIEF LOOK At Pittsburg—Cabaret Circuit " pected ~~ —-_-_-_-_ We were in Pittsburg on Saturday, July 23. and while there visited the Collins Inn at 1212 Wylie avenue, where we found a most unique cabaret entertainment in progress. Harry Collins is progressive and enjoys the endorsement of the city officials for the orderly manner in which he operates his place. In the afternoon a trio of young ladies, billed as the Elite Trio, provides the entertainment. Vernetto Wilson, Pianist; Allce E. Proctor, cornetist, and Jesse H. Byrd, on the traps, constitute the group. The evening shift incindes James Felman. Russel Johnson and Miss Vivian Greenlee. Mr. Colling is desirous of getting in touch with the owners of similar enterprises between Chicago and the Eastern seaboard with a view of arranging a circuit cf restaurants that will rotate their entertainers, eo as to vary the bills in all of the places with little additional expense to the different cabarets, and thus provide steady employment to artists without permitting any to become stale as 8 drawing card in any one place. If 25 of the 60-odd managers in the territory enter into the arrangement he feels gure that the business of all will be improved. The matter is submitted to you as a most excellent suggestion that should find ready response. Several such circuits now exist among the houses catering to white trade. The results so far as have been learned are highly satisfactory. Write Mr. Collins direct or thru The Billboard. Wm. H. Raymond, a student éf the class of 1922, Ithaca Conservatory of Music, is the solefist at the leading Episcopal Church in Lock Haven, Pa., this summer. During the school term he sings with the choir of the Unitarian Church of Ithaca, N. Y. Some G@istinction for one-of-our group) ©) 68) bem eee ~ cinsnane beaded sone . » ; 5 sarees (emesis oe we ee ren EE TR yn ae Se ee ee EEE