The Michigan chronicle. [volume], June 20, 1942, SECOND SECTION, Page PAGE NINETEEN, Image 19

About The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1942
DETROIT Cd*e*/ <ZM*/Ls
BANJOIST HELD
WHEN HE TRIES
TO FLEE PARIS
Colored Entertainer Is
Threatened By Nazi
Guard
After having had some experience
the hordes of Adolph Hiller.
*'h.ch were not so pleasant, Vance
Lowry, banjo king who ha« speri
the past 20 years traveling about j
Europe, is firmly convinced now
that America is general, and the
food old United States in particular, j
Is the best place in the world to ■
live.
Vance, who is now appearing at
wv*.h the German army shortly after
the (non of Hitler had occupied
Paris! in the spring of 1940. Vance
for a time hat his expe
rience would ultimately Tesult :n
his death, but he was able to extri- ■
cate himself from the difficulties j
With his hide intact.
Germans Arrive
A few days after the Germans.
• ccompanjed by those' big tanks,
marched into the French capita!.
Lowry decided that he wanted to
leave. So he started walking awav
from Paris, hoping that he would
be able to. beat the Germans to the
next town. But Lowry was mis
taken. The Germans were there
when he arrived.
One of the German guards grab
bed Lowry, and alhough the ban
joist showed his American passport,
the officer of the day and the guard
were definite in their plans to end
Lowry's stay in this world. Prob
ably the nicest name he was called
% . Pm '
Only the intervention of the com
manding officer, who could spejk
fluent English) prevented Lowry's
untimely death by the sharp point
of a bavonim or by the way of a
well-aimed bullet. The officer took
Lowry's passport, examined it. and
then told the banjoist that he could
return to Paris.,
Lowry returned to Paris, remain
ing there until he could obtain pass
age on one of the boats bound for
the good Old United States.
The banjo king, who was born in
Emporia. Kan., went to London 20
years after winning acclaim as a
member of Jim Europe's Club Con
go orchestra in New York. He was
a soloist in Carnegie Hall in 1914
Lowry remained in London two
years, and then went to Paris,
making his home in the latter city.
He went to Berlin in 1924. playing
in the largest night clubs' in the
capital of Germany.
Lowry also played In Finland.
Switzerland. Italy and Russia dur
ing the years he was in Europe.
"The people of Europe were very
nice to me." Lowry said. "But wo
must remember that there are not
very many colored peopie in any
of (those countries.
"In Paris, where there arc prob
ably more colored than in any other
country, it was hard for any but
entertainers to make a living. Wc
had to help many of those who
came over and were unable to find
Jobs.”
Lowry, a good friend of Jose
phine Baker, revealed that she is
ynl in France, living in the part
controlled by the govern-
Correction
Pictures of young ladies entered
recently in the "Soldier's Sweet- i
listed in last week's issue of this
paper.
The pictures and cutlines should
list Miss Mary Gordy as shown in j
photograph No. 4 and Miss Doris I
Hill as in photo No. 3
Miss Maymo Townsend has with- 1
dra \ n from the contest.
Cholly And Dotty
To Join Armstrong
Cholly and Dotty. America's niim- j
ber one boy and girl dpnee team, j
passed through Detroit Monday en- !
route to Chicago where they are j
to begin a series of theatre dates
with Louis Armstrong's orchestra
prior to making a jaunt to the |
The popular act recently complet
ed engagements in the East with!
Lionel Hampton and Doc Wheeler, i
It was their first eastern appear
ance This week marks their first
To Sing Here
V V■ ]
Madeline Green, songbird with
Earl Hines' orchestra, will be
with the band when "Father”
and his group of musicians play
at the Graystone ballroom Mon
day. June 29.
FDR’S FAVORITE
MUSICIAN JOINS
NAVAL SERVICE
ATLANTA. Ga. Graham
Jackson, 39-year-old pianist
conductor w ho has w on note
as “the favorite musician” of
President Roosevelt, joined
the Navy last week and immediate
ly began duties as a chief specialist.
Jackson is one of several Negroes
in the country holding this rank in
the Navy, the highest rank an en
listed man C3n hold in the service.
Os his enlistment Jackson said, i
"I played for the soldiers at Law- |
son General hospital and the re
ception they gave me inspired me
to want to do all I could for the
navy."
The popular musician who plays
Brahms and boogie-woogie with
equal facility earned the plaudits
of the President, he said, while
playing for the commander-in-chief
at the little White House in Warm
Springs, Ga.
The President, according to the
piano player, was humming a tune
he had made up. and asked Jack
son if he could play' it. “I played it
,all out for him and am using it now
os a basis for the patriotic sympho
ny I want to dedicate to all the
armed forces. It was when I played
that piece for him that the Presi
dent called me his favorite mu-
Horse Opera, Rodeo
Next Coast Feature
‘Yank’New
Soldiers ’
Journal
The ofT.cial army newspaper,
Yank, was issued Vol. 1. No. 1,
Saturday. June 13. This is the
23rd anniversary of the final issue
of Yank's predecessor, the 1918-
19 Stars and Stripes.
The paper published from Yank's
editorial offices. 205 East 42nd
street. New York. New York, will
be a 24-page tabloid, rotogravure,
and will be issued weekly after
the initial publication date. Edited
by the enlisted men of the aimy
for the enlisted men of overseas
U S. forces, it will not be circulated
in this country.
First issue included anew army
comic strip by Corporal David
Breger. whose strip "Private Breg
er" is now in book form. Another
comic strip will be supplied by
Corporal George Baker of Fort
Monmouth. New Jersey. Another
feature will be a story by Yank's
staff writer. Private Lloyd Shearer.
>
Hamp’s
CONFECTIONERY
Lunch
We Sperlallre In
DcLuxe Hamburgers
Hot Dogs and Chili
Delicious Sodas and Sundaes
Served with Sealtest Ice Cream.
MRS. MACIE HAMILTON. Prop.
8714 Oakland Ave.
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE - - A RELIABLE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY
EARL HINES TO
PLAY BAND AT
THE GRAYSTONE
Dance Scheduled Is For.
Graystone Ballroom
June 29
Perhaps no profession is more
highly competitive than that of
popular musi?, in which last year's
idol is all-too-ofien just another
band leader this year But a peren-
I nial star of popular music is Earl
Father” Hines, who brings his
dance orchestra to Graystone ball
room June 28.
Regarded professionally as one of
the originators and developers of
swing music. Father Hines has been
a star for nearly 20 years, weather
ing the storms that come with such
different music vogues as blues,
ragtime. Jazz and syncopation of
varied forms. But in ail that time.
I with band leader idols falling and
new ones arising to take their
places. Father Hines has persisted ;
as one of popular music's all-time I
greats.
Has That Something
Testimony to his continued star
dom is in evidence any time he's
appearing in a key city, where his
audience is certain to include a
group of other name orchestra
leaders. When rival musicians
scramble to hear a band, it proves
the band has that ‘'something."
Louis Armstrong, with whom
Father Hines played in the old Sun
set case iri Chicago, exerted a mark
ed influence on Hines. Inspired
by Armstrong. Hines created what
he calls a "trumpet style” on the
Although Hines' "trumpet style"
I is simplicity in itself, it is anything
j but superficial. Hines first applied
the theory of solo improvisation to
a piano keyboard in the same fash
ion that a trumpet player would
I improvise with the support of the
rhythm section.
The vocalists with Hines’, band
are Madeline Greene and Billy Eck-
Freddie Martin To
Air New Rene Song
HOLLYWOOD-From the NBC
broadcasting center here, it was
learned, Freddie Martin and his
renowned orchestra will feature
the latest hit tune "From Twilight
Till Dawn.” written by Leon Rene,
local composer of international hit
songs. The number will be heard
on Monday night's Lady Esther's
cosmetic hour program.
LOS ANGELES-A new chapter
in the life of the Bronze Cowboy,
will be written the afternoon of
Sunday, July 5 when the gigantic
wild west rodeo featuring the best
Latin American riders and daring
skill of the sable-skinned fancy,
trick and bronko riders. Bobby
Johnson, who came to the coast
several years ago, as a dancer,
heads the show of western riders,
which comes to White Sox park.
Associated with Johnson will be
Eddie "Rochester” Anderson, Macro
B. Sheffield and others. The rodeo
meet is scheduled to attract some of
the greatest masters of horse flesh
in America. Bronko bus'.ng. Brah
ma steer riding, bull dodging, rop
ing and other fancy thrills of the
rodeo show will all be on tap.
Names of top fancy riders of the
Negro group will vie with master
showmen of the Mexican and Indian
troupers for the many-avent prize
money.
formerly of Infantry, at Fort Bragg
on the Paratroops.
Yank will make liberal use of
pictures, cartoons and the writings
of men in the army in addition
to the work of its own staff of 27
men. Reporters will be sent over
seas by Yank to keep in touch with
task and defense forces.
JACK ELLIS
Now In
Windy City
jack Ellis, well-known De
troit sportsman, proprietor
of the Club Congo, located
at 4753 South Parkway,
near 48th street, telephone
Atlantic 9436. and the Turf
club of Chicago, located at
3901 South Parkway, near
39th street, telephone At
lantic 4736. This former
Detroit boy who has made
good in Chicago invites his
friends to visit these popu
lar night spots when visiting
the Windy City.
JACK ELLIS
WHAT! NO PARTY? f
— ■—■
This group of stars represents the studio that was to toss a party
honoring members of the visiting 369th Anti-aircraft in California
which never came off. Reason: the army stepped in. They arc. left
to right. Mantan Moreland. Leo Gorcey, Louise Beavers and Wonder
ful Smith.
Swinging
With
Nitelifers’
i
So sorry, readers, but this week
finds us not in the mood for this
after-hour jive. Nevertheless, some
effort to keep your interest in this
colym must be made ... so here
tis for what it's worth.
Received a fine letter from a dear
friend whose better half is in Unk
Sam's olive drab zoot these days, j
To her. "Keep that chin up. be
careful, think of him often. And
write to us whenever possible.”
Best regards to Pvt. Albert J.
Moyer. Company A, 318th Engineer
Bn . Fort Huechuca, Ariz., from all
the old gang.
To my many other friends In the
armed forces many hellos and lots
of luck.
James (Jimmy) Gray, ex-pug,
who won featherweight title in '39,
is anxious to get in fighting shape
again. Camilla Holmes is an at
tractive Chi visitors. Lorenzo Mar
vel is still a hep bartender. George
King has put aside his trumpet for
some good old defense labor. Skip
py. the Duchess, is exercising hes
talent for singing at an ofay spot
near Sandwich. Canada.
Hot Waxing*
Mama, Mama Blues by Louis Jor
dan is rather on the risque side,
but appealing to blues lovers. . . .
Kappa Alpha Psi are giving a shin
dig on the water on Steamer Put-
will close soon from "blue coat" j
trouble. . . . Thanx to many of my j
friends for welcoming us back into '
the nitelife fold, since the army de
cided our left leg was too short to
march on.
Play* Here Soon
Earl Hines and his famed “Jelly.
Jelly" blues band will appear at
the Stone called Gray, comes Mon
day, June 29. Known for his
wordings of Jelly, Jelly, Billy Eck
stein will thrill you but solidly as
he warbles your favorite compos in
that style which never fails to make
you enjoy Hines’ renditions of the
popular, sentimental and blues
tunes of today and
should be a "must” on your list of
dancing pleasure.
"Big Spots”
Leading nite spots hereabouts
are, in the order named: Club Zom
bie, Club Congo. Three "666” Club.
B. and C., Uncle Tom's Plantation,
and Little Sam’s Bar.
Bands are Cecil Lee. Kelly Mar
tin. Lanky Bowman, Albert Holmes
equipped With a light that can he
switched on by pressing a button to
reveal contents of the box after dark.
In-Bay. comes June 22, Monday,
when Leroy Smith and his fine
band will tickle your dancing feet. |
Shake It But Don't Break It by
Sonny Williams. . . . C-Jam Blues
by Duke Ellington. . . . Pi'per Doll
by Mills Brothers. . . ■ All I Need
is You by Ella Fitzgerald and Wor
ried Life Blues by Big Mucco are
but solid listening platters.
Swaying ‘N Playing
Swaying and playing was the
thing of the hour down the B and
C. way on last Friday night when
the place rocked as Blues-singer
Alberta Adams dug them but
groovy-like with ''Gonna Move.
Best of show skit produced by
George Mungo was the vocal team
warblings of Bobby Key and Helen
Wiles for giving out .with a varia
tion of "Sleepy Lagoon” while Mu
siemaster A1 Holmes and the bovs
made the music notes fit Just right
into the offering.
The chorines .made themselves
liked muchly with their personal
ity and routine stuff. The rest of
the show was well received.
Some Stuff
Genial Lanky Bowman is doing
all right for himself and the band
down "866'' club way. . . . Leonard
Reed received so much acclaim for
his "Blues in Nite” skit it is again
I playing to a pleased audience at
Broad's Club Zombie where “havin'
fun is the thing of the hour.”
Seems Bomber Chicken shack
DATE CHANGED FOR ART
EXHIBITION AT RACKHAM
The Pen and Palette Art Club i
Exhibition will be held Saturday.
June 13. 1942 from 5 to 9:00 p.m.,
in the Horace Rackham building, j
100 Farnsworth street, instead of
the 14th as originally planned. This
change was necessitated because
the building is to be closed on Sun
day.
The artists have spared no pains
to make this forth coming exhibit
the best in its history. The club
now celebrating its 17th year is
the oldest club devoted to art to
be found among Negroes in Amer
ica.
Several individuals interested in ;
art have contributed rich prizes for j
It is certain that a good crowd |
will witness the show which is set j
in the beautiful surroundings of :
the Rackham building. This marks j
the first use that Negroes have I
made of this fine structure. The
Detroit Urban league is sponsoring I
the exhibit. The secretary of the;
league, John C. Dancy, was the.
founder of the club. The officers |
When Other Places Are Closed
The “WHITE HOUSE”
at BRUSH and WILLIS
Is Open to Serve You “That Midnite Snack ”
KOSHER MS
BIG HAMBURGERS - FAT HOT DOGS
OPEN ALL NIGHT ORDERS TO TAKE OUT
EDCAR BRAZELTON. Proprietor
BILLY ALWAYS
STAYS LONG ON
ENGAGEMENTS
Beverly White and Jimmy
Smith Are Also At
Club Congo
Billy Mitchell, known to members
of the craft and patrons of night
clubs as "K.ng of the Night Clubs.":
believes in bedding down for a
long time when he moves into a
hot spot.
Os course Billy must do more
than walk in. hang up his hat and
smile, if hes to satisfy the patrons
and draw a check from the owners’
bank account. Yes. he must swing
a wicked hoof, crack some wise
and up-to-date jokes and come
across with some of those rib-split
ting songs.
But Billy seems able to accom
plish these many things. His record
at some of the outstanding night
spots in the country will attest to
this.
JSRSEHBBWi
Played Grand Terrace
For instance. Billy remained at
Grand Terrace for six years, three
years at Town club, and two years
at Club DeL.sa. In addition, he
played the role of Coco, lord high
executioner in "Swing Mikado." for
Mitchell, the man with the insane
feet, opened at Club Congo last
Thursday night, and judging from
the reception from the patrons. Bil
ly will be at Slim Jones’ spot for
a long time He had them rolling
with his songs, dancing and comi-
But Mitchell is not alone in fur
nishing entertainment for the pa
trons of Club Congo. There's Pork
I Chops Patterson, the song and
j dance man who has just completed
a long stay at Club Rhumboogie in
Chicago.
LARRY CHISM
Add to these Jimmy Smith, a
young man who dances on a piano
phone. and Beverly White, song
bird who formerly was with Claude
Hopkins' orchestra, and add Bob
Parrish and Club Congo band, fea
turing Kelly Martin on the drum
and vibraphon e plus the Eight Con
goettes, those dancing beauties, and
then you can picture what a fine
show Margaret Watkins has left
with the patrons.
New Musicians In
Club Congo Band
Followers of Bob Parrish and the
Club Congo orchestra will note a
great change in the organization
effective Friday. The change is the
result of the addition of some new
men and a greater instrumentation. ■
And too, it will mark the begin
ning of their last 9 weeks at Club
Congo as the band is scheduled to
begin their first major road tour
August 21.
| are: Gerald Boyd, president: Ruth
Mclntosh, secretary, and Aubrey j
t Agee, treasurer. Francis deErdcrly
is the instructor. Tea (till be ,
I served. Come and bring your
friends. No admission fee.
Three Buds May Go
To Jefferson Inn
Radio’s Three Buds who have
been a stellar attraction at Broad's
Club Zombie for the past six weeks
I may be signed to an indefinite en-
I gagemen* at the Jefferson Inn. it
was revealed this week by the man
-1 agers of the Buds. That is if the act
I isn't impaired by the _induction of
'one of :s members. Alvin Bowen,
j into the armed force*.
The act is under the manawmont
of the Rollo S. Vest Enterprises
I who also manage Cholly and Dotty.
; Ralph Brown; Jitt and Bugs. Wanda '
'Paul. Jaunita Brown. Warden
| Banks and B>b Parrish's orchestra.
MOONLIGHT Os
PUT-IN-BAY,
MON., JUNE 27
The - third
moonlight, sponsored by Kappa A1
pha Psi Fraternity, will be aboarc
) the Steamer Put-In-Bay, Monday.
' June 22, Atty. Jos. A. Craigen
j polemarch, announced. The pro
gram of entertainment and dancinp
j will feature- Leroy Smith's orches
The steamer will leave the First
Street Dock .1*8.45 p.m. The Put-In-
Bay. which will carry a full ca
pacity of merrymakers, has the
largest dance floor ever built on an
Proceeds of the moonlilght will
go toward the support of the Kappa
scholarship fund. This fund has
enabled an outstanding youth each
year to enjoy the benefit of a col-
The King
Granada
THEATRE
W. Warren Cr Junction
Tyler 4-0800
STARTING SATURDAY MIDNIGHT
CAROLE LOMBARD and
JACK BENNY in
TO BE OR
NOT TO BE"
Edward C. Robinson in
"UNHOLY PARTNERS”
EDWARD ARNOLD • LORRAINE DAY
MARSHA HUNT A OTHERS
EVERY TRIDAY AND SATURDAY
“CANC BUSTERS”
Defense Stamps and Bonds
On Sale.
Billy Mitchell, king of the night
clubs, shown before going on the
floor for his act at Club Congo
where he's currently appearing.
Mitchell, who was with "Swing
Mikado," ia also known as the
man with the insane feet.
Alberta Adams At
B-C Theatre Bar
Alberta Adam? is currently top-1
ping the entertainment bill at the j
B-C Theatre Bar th-.s week in a fast
moving amusement bill that makes
you forget there is a war, a short
age of rubber and sugar, and a I
threatened gasoline ration.
Alberta is the former wife of I
Hcllzapnppin star. Billy Adams,
who appeared here not so long ago.
She sings, dances, and adds a
groove-like spirit to the activities
of things.
Included in the B-C show are
George Mongo. James Rutherford.
Keyes. Laura Mason, and Larissa
Dink Patterson. Polly Garee, Bobby
Maxey. Furnishing music, as usual,
is A1 Holmes and his Musical Aces. |
FREE!
Dinnerwarc for the Ladits
Every Wednesday
An Eveningr Entertainment
DROP IN ON DETROIT'S EXCLUSIVE NITERIE J
FEATURED
SONGSTRESS
Bobbie’s
Chicken
Shack
FINE
FOODS
Beer & Wine
Other Stars
ROCKY
HOLLOWELL
Versatile Vocalist
JAMES (Rusty)
RUTHERFORD
Dramatic Baritone
MATTYE
HEDGEMAN
Song Stylist
ADELE
METCALF
Piano-Solovox Artist
OUR SPECIALTY
AFTER THEATRE PARTIES
2488 St. Antoine at Winder
FOR RESERVATION CALL CL. 0070
SLIM JONES Presents ...
‘From Concerto
To Stomp’
WITH—
BILLY MITCHELL BEVERLY WHITE
of “Swing Mikado" Sweet Singer
PORK CHOPS PATTERSON
Back From Hollywood
8 CONCOETTES JIMMY SMITH
Dancing Beauties Dancer on Pianophone
Bob Parrish and Club Congo Band
Featuring Kelley Martin on Xylophone
AIR CONDITIONED
FINE FOOD
SUM (ONES'
CLUB CONGO
550 ADAMS, DETROIT - CH. 0230
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