New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 19

I TURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1942 Th PitUbzrsh Cczrizr PAGE NINETEEN. 'CLEANING HOUSE AT YEAR'S END Ko weep without tears and to laufh without smiling Amr Joe." the musical tribute 'hlh honors heavyweight jham J. ioui, f0r nig vaUant and out of the 1 become a new best the di8c world. The tiii.nts of three great ar E.rt In the salute 'd ight, author of "Na ss: wrote versa; Paul no HSf? I HARLEM HIT Ij 1 sssiBsse 1 7Z I vuniiv i vvm wn I I I I 1 I 1 I YORK, Jan. 1 Ths bewhiskered rent with his them of on earth, goodwill towards all mankind," has corns and sons (H 'jtn rjru uia ineuviij vuwauaw ut iui i jr uiu nappy Year.

Just ons day lnio another ysar vrs ars forcsd to becoma of a dlffarsnt kind of school with a slmpls and sad lesson, Today, not just another day. but another year, we face the future Kb a funny, choked up feeling in our throats, wondering like man Ui when he first cams upon this earth millions of years ago, what Is destiny. Will there be happiness, success, achievements or Just Liter despair On the threshold of other new eras we have been fired with ambl LODI anu cuccicu mj mvtt iuwwwi mm iu mmmu ucnuv us closer to the fullness of manhood and the autumn of our vei. In this year four Lord nineteen hundred and forty two, those noughts are far behind us as 'like every true member of this nation turn to me in oi ommg gooa soicuer, not one woo manes wars, ut one who fights for peace, brought on by the fundamental necessity protecting our home, our native land. Our dreams are no longer trtonal and we think only of life, liberty and a lasting victory that at insure most oz ine pnases oz me American way or aemocracy.

Ail at has happened during, nineteen forty one, good and bad, with but exception, has fallen thick in the blast as It left us a people at gun toters, not happiness bearers. And now that the tumult and he shouting has died, with chins high, heads up We face the stark ttlity of our time one for all and all for America victorious k' Year. AMERICA IS YOUR So much has happened during the last few months of ths year Lhoie obituary we now write we couldn't begin to report them here. 1 our small world lighted by the spotlight of ths theater and cheered the talent of entertainment, many things came to pass; Racial rrjudice on many fronts took a hefty kick in the pants. The flicker rorld on the west coast which has dropped Its tag of make believe as Vir brings reality within two miles of its shores, marched into 1941 Ucre.d by Its grandiloquent gesture of handing Hattle McDanlel the Vst Academy Award.

ever given a colored artist. With' that in mind film executives turned a keener eye towards Negro performers and of them were given picture parts that heretofore had been Written out for nordlc players. In this field Eddie "Rochester" Ander Vn. Willie Best, Dorothy Dandridge, Louise Beavers, Sam McDanlel, hhe Nicholas Brothers, The Berry Boys, Slim and Slam, Rex Stewart, Te Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald, Maxine Sullivan, Noble Johnson, Man ua Moreland, Hattle Noel and Jimmie Lunceford Jiave all been given their chances before the silver screen. The stage during that period has seen and accepted a continual j3w ol race talent in.

plays with and about them. Ethel Waters In one and effort held fast to her title of the first lady of play acting. Vanada Lee did the unbelievable and became an important legitimate Same overnigni. Ana Wiggins siunu, iaun Truwu, uuuio uatiucn, fodd tyjnean, Georgie Burke, Georgette Harvey, Rex Ingram, Kitty Oscar Polk, Richard Huey, Avon Long. Nicodemus, Ruby zy, the great Paul Robeson and the master dancer Bill Robinson ie all added the glorious inborn ability of the race to the world of ay acting on the legit stage.

SOT INVESTMENT The sphere of the classics was again dominated by the superb biical chores of Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Dorothy Maynor, tun Dixon and two new comers, Muriel Rahn and Lawrence Whlso nt. They, like soms of our mora modern purveyors of music, harried tiny important radio fronts with great success Th vaudavlUe and the dance whirl were not without their brand excitement and the men and maids of color got a much bigger bite '41 than ever before. Big white theaters throughout the country limned thgir doors to dual combinations and brought in others as the it trial not only proved successful, but of record breaking value iking the lead in this field, Erskine Hawkins and the sensational Ink oots have box office records to their credit In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh nd Detroit, and were found still at it with the influx of a New Year the Oriental Theater In Chicago with a string of just as important to follow. Jimmie Lunceford teamed with Bill Robinson and off some grand weeks bringing the greatness of the Miller roi. and Lois to the national public as they went along.

In the radio koxmercial swim John Klrby and his big little orchestra took a power ps.roke as a part ofDufTy's Tavern and Maxine Sullivan came along guest eoloist on the Ford Symphony as the first colored artist to popular music on that program. Lionel Hampton, conquered the Jbn as the greatest new orchestra in the business and hopped the Yn.n to head lor a bi2er and better field with a new kind of swing sic. Count Basle swung Into a new and greater musical life and set few dance attendance records all over the country. Les Hite broke l. rhttrho in Nw Jersev where colored bands never trod fnd couldn't get out of the place.

Una Mae Carlisle and Bermie Ben psin wrote the biggest song hits of the year. Duke Ellington entered Vmw life and signed a contract to write for the movies. The biggest break of the generation was handed to Louie Armstrong by Orson and John Hammond quit Columbia Records to fight racial dis pnination. Artie Shaw sismed Hot Lips Paige, and Gene Krupa took RECORD NAMED FOR LOUIS Ml Vvs il Robeson who sings the lyrics. 2 and Count Basle wrote the music which was waxsd by his band.

It marks ths first time that Robeson has sung blues In this country and Wright's initial effort at song lyrics. Photo shows Wright (left) and Robeson going over the score at the Okeh recording session where the platter was mad. SSo55SS "SATCHMO" ADDS TO MUSIC LAURELS MMi7 i lhn Evr Before. I I IUUVWL UUInl I (0) 1 NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 1 war will not affect ac tivities of the present crop of bands playing so called mod ern musio in the United States," stated Jos Glaser and Moo Gale, heads of the biggest of ths band agencies handling colored orchestras In America.

Advancing; a unanimous point, the duo of booker managers expressed ths belief that while at present there seems to be a temporary slump, there are growing indica tions that a definite increase in business will come with the New Year. During first sad day of the Pearl Harbor attack, band offices were swamped with cancellation requests and dances promoted in spite of all else, went wemtlne; for audiences. Now that most Americans have become more or less war seasoned, things are beginning to EicK up again, una new dates are elng filled in place of old ones concelled. "During the first World's said Glaser, musio and everything theatrical slaved a most important part in the morale department of the armed forces of the country. Notwithstanding that the band business was not developed at that time, there's every reason to believe that It will come into its own with ths growing army of escap ists that mass with every year.

It has been said that music soothes the savage breast, well n6w is the time to apply that adage." According to Moe Gale an Indi cation of heavier business has al ready struck his office, and pro moters throughout the country are forgetting cancellation and inde cision that comes with timidity and are busy making plans for the future. Perhaps the only immedi ate problem centers around probable blackouts, and if that comes then plans will be formulated to have dances during the day or in air raid shelters, for come what may, the American way of living must and will survive. Both Gale and Glaser who have given some of their bands over to the USO gratis to entertain the boys in Camps during their off days, stated that as yet. the draft has not affected their attractions. but neither of them will ask exemption for men subject to call, for it's up to all of us as Ameri cansTo remember Pearl Harbor." BENNY CARTER WRITES SONG FOR SOLDIERS NEW YORK CITY.

Jin. 1The first tribute in words and music to Uncle Sam's colored fighting forces has been written by Ben nv Carter, famed composer and multi instrumentalist now leading his own band at the Famous Door on 52nd street. Titled "Harlem On the ong was written In collaboration with Redd Evans, noted Broadway tuncsmlth who also penned "He's I A In The Army and A I In My Heart." Benny Carter will introduce the song in person on the most appropriate occasion, at the "Salute to Negro Troops" in Katherine Dunham and the Nicholas posed to open it had neither the shoes though, for Lena enroute to work out on the silver screen. As Its star, the late Richard B. Harrison becam as Immortal as the play itself and from its cast, many actors and actresses stepped to theatrical fame.

Considering the fact that the Connelly production has run the gauntlet of theatrical, screen and radio favor, plans for revival are therefore ce artd around the belief that there is a prospective new audience which has grown into play going age since autumn fell upon the Green Pastures on Mecca Temple on Sunday evening, January 11th. The song is being published by Reis and Taylor of 1819 Broadway. on Roy Eldridge. BUY UNITED STATES Cootie Williams left 'Duke Ellington for Benny Goodman and left Goodman to form his own band. Lena Home returned to the illuminated lane and hit the vocal jack pot at the Downtown Cafe Society.

Billie Holiday got married, lost 39 pounds and hit a new streamlined stride. Old timer Flournoy Miller was called back to Hollywood and drafted to write radio stuff for Amos and Andy. Cab Calloway started a radio series to get the air and finished up taking it when the sepia folks said he needed a shave. Earl Hines with a new ork. caught up to the times with a new band and a colored manager.

Horace Henderson gave up bis band to arrange for Charlie Barnet only to go find it again and attempt to sell the public sweet swing. The Sunset Royals put Doc Wheeler's name in lights as head man in the band. Reports came in' from St. Louis that Una Mae Carlisle had blown her top, and Eddie Rector was released from Central Islip, still one of the best dancers in the land. The Trocadero, touted as another Cotton Club, changed its mind about opening with its gala array of sepia stars on the coast even after Importing Lena Home, talking of Duke Ellington, Bros.

The guy who was sup no the string. It did one thing there stopped long enough in Pittsburgh to make up with her estranged husband, Norton and Margot who were dancing to great success in Chi came to ths parting of the ways In St. Louis and Margot headed home to husband and child. The Three Peppers became such a sensation in Phllly nitery circles they were called to the coast for film work. But who wants to go to Call fornia? Us! Coca Cola spotlighted Jimmie Lunceford on Its first radio series and hasn't given a race band a look since.

Fess Williams, ths one time musical big shot started another band and will be heard this year at the newly opened Paradise Theater in Detroit. The Peters Sisters with their pounds and pounds of joy are still ths biggest trio in the business. DEFENSE IONDI AND STAHPS J. C. Johnson does the gesture grand and Ideas a benefit which sent Margaret Beckett to.

Arizona and the chance to walk again. English sonsrbird Mabel Mercer hits the tpwn with a distinctive voice quality to establish a beguiling atmosphere of romance at the swank Ruban Bleu downtown which might be the "it" that captured ths heart of young Kelsey Pharr. Ths town sUll remembers the recital of Eugene Gash at Town Hall and calls him In for another comes January 10. Kenneth Spencer sings all over the town, and Willie Bryant puts the Elks Rendezvous on ths map, goes to the coast and gets caught In an earthquake. Katherine, Dunham comes upon us like a house afire and stars on B'way with some superb dance creations.

Ralph Cooper has a quiet season. But his side kick Plgmeat Markham establishes himself in Burlesque In a solid manner. Madeline Jackson goes to Chi to save her hubby from the draft and we ended all our jotUngs with Billy Rowe, 1 West 123th street, N. Y. Lehigh 4 3055.

I the Broadway of the nation. Lesser exploited than "Pastures." "Porgy and Bess," produced for Broadway by the Theatre Guild several seasons ago and enhanced ty the music of the late George Gershwin, has again been launched. At present in Boston at the Shubert Theatre, the production as revived by Cheryl Crawford ie set in for a three week run. Containing much of the original cast, with the exception of John Bubbles, the operetta Is headed by Todd Duncan and Ann Brown, and the same immortal George Oresh wln's music After Its stay in the hub city, the production will return to the main stem here, after which it will be taken on an ex tensive tour of the country. CAB CALLOVAY HAS VACATION NEW YORK.

Jan. 1 For the first time in 11 years. Cab Callo way and his men or music nave been able to take enough time off from the business of sharps ana flats to take a ten day vacation. When the band closed in N. on the 14th.

it was off until Christmas Day, at which time it opened at the Metropolitan theater in Providence, R. I. IS CONCERT DISCOVERY NEW YORK CITY. Jan. 1The most outstandlnr accompiisnmenx in the field of Concert tor tne year 1941 could very well go to Muriel a I Rahn, brilliant young jjramauc oo nrann of this cltV.

Makiner her debut at Carnegie Chamber Music Hall last February Miss Rahn emerged from her first recital with tne most ravoraoie press comment of any of ths year's xrnn of hrtnful. MAKES WHITE OPERA GROUP The crowning event of her years activity however, came this Fall when she was acceptea as a i un fledged member of the Opera Group of the National Orchestral Association after a riarld audition which required her to sing arias from the leadlmr Ooeraa in various for sign languages to tne sausiacuon ilgn if a atrfnrent musical board. She won out from among zu appli cants (all white), the first and only member of her Race to he aoce d. As a result, she has been sept glv en a role in two Operas and will appear with tne group in warne gie Hall this Spring. ALL THIS AND CONCERTS TOO In the meantime Miss Rahn went ahead and had herself booked up for concerts all over the country Opening her season in Harlem on October lztn at ut.

aaein odist church with a concert that thrilled the local gentry, she has since given recials in Washington, D. Bluefleld, West and Un denhurst, cornea the nxst Sfli Louis Armstropg, better known as "Satchmo," was honored again before Christmas when he played at the opening of a new Negro theatre in Detroit. He is shown here in a scene from a recent picture he made with Bing Crosby. Armstrong leads the trumpet division in The Pittsburgh Courier's Ail American band contest poll. mm if "i BTJay BqvIvsI mm IPasteires" "Porgy and Bess" Gets Underway in Boston Set for Return to "Illuminated Lane." By EVELYN HARDING (Staff Correspondent) NEW YORK CITY, Jan.

1 With this season's course about run, you can hear rumors of the next one by merely standing still for a second on any Broadway corner. The best of' those currently, centers around a proposed revival of Marc Connelly's "The Green Pastures" for another try on the lighted lane. One of the immortal plays of our time, "Green Paitures" ran for upwards to five years on Broadway, had an extensive tour of the country's leading legitimate circles and was represented to the nation I BACK HOME 'A 2 "Si Michael "Margie" Graham, representative of Dilworth Attractions, who returned to the States last month after an extended tour of South America and the West Indies. He Is now In New York doing advance work for his company. the year, Miss Rahn will hie her self Mid Westward to fill engagements in Chicago, Indianapolis, St.

Louis, Dallas and other points South. That's a lot of ground to covor In one years, anyway you look at it. DUKE'S ONE BAWD SHOW AT PALO WAR SEATTLE, Jan. 1 Duke Ellington and his orchestra with Herb Jeffries and' Ivy Anderson were the sole entertainers in a stage show here at the Palomar Theatre last week. A greit favorite here, the com poser genius injected his pleasing personality, both physically and musically, into a forty five minute show that had the customers applauding all through the procued ngs.

Starting with a medley of Elling ton tunes behind a transparent screen, the band marches down the am of popular music giving eacn Vy MM wo Bii in i 1 I II I I i "Salute to Negro Troops" i Will Honor Brown Boys I Fighting for Uncle Sam. I NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 1 A partial list of the scores stars and cafe entertainers who will appear at the "Salute to Negro Troops" pageant, variety show and dance next week at Mecca Temple was released by the Council on Negro Culture, arrang ing tho affair in cooperation witn Fight For Freedom, Inc. f. In announcing the names of some of the performers who have already consented to participate, volunteer ing their services hecause or tne nature of the affair, the Council explained that the location had to be shifted from the Golden Gate ballroom to Mecca Temple which has a seating capacity one third reater than the uptown dance pa ace.

Count Basle and his famous band will play selections that have made the aczretratlon a byword in jazz and dance fields. From Cafe Socie ty will come the charming, viva cious Hazel Scott with her sophis ticated piano renditions ana tne Golden Gate Quartet. Willie Bryant will act as master of ceremonies for the evening. In addition the internationally famous comedian, George Jessel will ap pear as will Sophie Tucker. A roster of stars will also come from Broadway's leading musical shows.

They will Include Ella Lo gan, cetlte Scot singer, starring in the Olsen and Johnson hit, "Sons 'O Fun." and from the musical "Let's Face the dance team of Blllie Daniels and iMary Parker which has been getting rave no TRUMPETS Louie Armstrong 2460 Erskine Hawkins 2060 Roy Eldridge 1960 Karl George 790 Ernie Royal 720 oJe Newman 8,0 Cootie 'Williams SIC Buck Clayton 370 Rex Stewart Harry James 230 SAXOPHONES Coleman Hawkins Benny Carter Johnny Hodges Marshall Royal Illinois Jacquet Jack McVea Les Young Ben Webster Dsxter Cordon IMMMI i a 2310 1830 920 910 890 870 740 550 450 Jimmy Oorsey 440 TROMBONES Dickie Wells 2000 J. C. Higginbotham 1790 Trummie Young: 1780 Tommy Dorsey 950 Fred Beckett 770 Sonny Graven 730 Henry sloane 60 Glenn Miller 560 Lawrence Brown 500 Juan Tizol 250 PIANIST Count Pasie 2160 Teddy. Wilson 470 Milton Buckner 420 Mary Lou 330 Charles Thompson .320 Johnny Allen 320 Duke Ellington 280 Earl Hlnes 260 instrumentalist a chance in the spotlltrht. Ray Nance, trumpeter, Was featured in "Take The A Herb Jeffries voiced "Gal In Calico Gown" and "Flamingo1 Junior Ragland, bass fiddler, was a sender playing "Jack Bat" as was Ben Webster's saxing of Ivy Anderson did her part with "Somebody Else" and "I Got It J3ad" with the superb sax assistance of Johnny Hodgs.

Play ins a week's stand, the Ellington "one band show" did a good busi ness, pleasing all around. v. .51 I A I a fc A I 111 Vv1 of nationally known musical I I of nationally known musical JiA Bob Parrish, international delineator of popular songs, mada his first appearance at the Apollo theatre in New York last week in grand style. A native of California, Parrish appeared hers) last year in the Broadway version of ths "Hot Mikado." (foto rowe). tices from the critics.

Benny Goodman, one of tne) scores of sponsors prominent in, the entertainment world has pledg ed to support the event. The pageant, which will high light the evening's program, will depict the Negro's contribution to the building of democracy in country and to the defense of Carlton Moss, noted Negro dramatist and David Wolff, Hollywood film writer, created the script for tho show. Proceeds of the event will go to Fieht For Freedom. and to the James Reese Europe Memorial i for Negro servicemen. THE ALL AMERICAN BAND Avery Parrish 240 Art Tatum DRUMMER Joe Jones Shadow Wilson Gene Krupa Cozy Cole Lionel Hampton James Crawford Clarence Dixon Sonny Qreer Ben Thlgpen Lice Young GUITARIST Charllo Christian Irving Ashby Floyd Smith Floyd Ray Fred Green William McLemore Renee Hall Celle Burke Sister Tharpe Jimmie McLean BASS FIDDLE James Blanton 220 2090 680 480 300 250 200 190 160 .130 isa 1999 850 670 280 270 270 230" 190 190).

160" 1790 Vernon Alley 980; Walter Paige 76tf John Kirby 6 Booker Collins Sao Johnnie Miller 320 Isaac Crosby 290 Emest Hill 15Cj KODert jewis Mose Allen 120 LEADER 1 Luckv Millinder 1995 Cab Calloway 180Q Lionel Hampton 1679, Jimmie Lunceford 1230 Duka Ellington 11 93 Count Basle 10231 Glenn Miller 94Vt Bardu All S7Cf Andy Kirk Benny Goodman AKRANUER Sy Oliver 1565 Fletcher Henderson 580j. Duko Ellington 44Q. Don Redman 280 Parker Berry 250 Sammy Lowe 230 Jimmy Mundy 220 Dudley Brooks 210 Art Ded rick 183 Milton Buckner 110 SOUTHERN QUEEN STILL RATES HIGH IN DIXIE Jim Edith Curry, hailed as the Southern queen of swing, and her well tra. are still tops in Dixie. The style they play has been extremely lovers and has enhanced their popularity.

Having just completed tour, it is said they will sign up with Dilworth for. another. i i e. I J'' 41 1 p..