Black Musicians & Vocalists

Archive

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St. Joseph Museums

Name/Title

Black Musicians & Vocalists

Entry/Object ID

9999.BHF.309

Scope and Content

Music George H. Bell: The Drummer composed by George H. Bell St. Joseph Missouri photocopy sheet music is in this folder. There is a bright yellow note on this sheet music that reads "There is a Bell family don't know if he is kin". There is also a pale yellow note on this sheet music. "George Bell played violin with Coleman Hawkins. Bell went to Omaha, Hawkins went to Kansas City as told by E. Madison". Etta Cox Green: St. Joseph News-Press May 26, 2004 has an article about Etta (Green) Cox. She was hometown talent who became a star and she will headline the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival June 18-19, Her picture appears in the newspaper. Charlotte May and Cindy Pickerel members of the jazz society deserve the credit for convincing Ms. Cox to perform at the festival. Crowley Family: St. Joseph News-Press August 25, 1989 has a newspaper picture of Mary Crowley Delaware. There is also a photocopy picture Frances Crowley. Mary Crowley: The newspaper story written by Ellis Freeman is about the success for Bartlett graduates. The reunion drew over 400 past graduates. Dr. Carris Bartlett graduate spoke on the theme "Toward New Horizons, Destiny Begins Today". For Mary Crowley music has been her life. Her father played the violin and her mother played the piano. She went to Chicago to study music and graduated from Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. In Europe she was a soloist, performing mostly classical music and spirituals. She also performed at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Town Hall in New York. She was music director for the summer seminars of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. After retiring from the stage she received a masters degree in Special Education and taught in the public schools for 15 years. Mary is also a soloist at the Metropolitan Community Church and works with the West Lawn Gospel Chapel. She is on the staff of Ora Higgins Youth Foundation, which gives scholarships to underprivileged children making it possible for them to go to college. Laurence C. Jones: Sweet Memories of Dixie by Laurence C, Jones sheet music is in this folder. A yellow note on this sheet music states that Laurence C. Jones was born in St. Joseph, Missouri and lived on Pacific Street. He was the founder of Piney Woods School. The biography is Miracle in Mississippi by Leslie Harper Purcell 1956. The photocopy sheet music has a picture of Laurence C. Jones. On the back of the photocopy sheet music are photocopy pictures of the Piney Woods School. Dynatones: Also in this folder is a photocopy picture of the Dynatones Trio; John Hughes, Phil King, and Bill Banks. Another photocopy picture is of Phil King piano, Bill Banks sax, John Hughes bass and Bryon Jackman. drums in the St. Joseph News-Press. The Dynatones was the house band for a popular St. Joseph nightclub called the Player's Cocktail Lounge. The lounge is on the corner of 17th and Frederick Avenue. "Dyantones Leave Mark": The story of them getting together began in Beckley, West Virginia. He had a group who had a guy named Frankie Thornton who sang. Frankie left the group and went to St. Joe with his wife who knew somebody there. Mr. Thornton sat in with various groups around town before landing a gig at Players. He mentioned the band he played with in West Virginia. He had Mr. Thornton get the band members on the phone so he could invite them to play at his club. The band disbanded in 1968. Mr. King took ill and moved back to West Virginia. Mr. Banks went to work in a local factory , staying there until his death in the early 1970s. Mr. Hughes continued to play at Players for a while. He soon formed his own group and began to play other area gigs. He died in the early 1990s. Mr. King recovered from his illness and went to work for the mint in Washington D.C. He retired a few years ago and moved back to st. Joseph. When this article was written he was 79. Rosetta Whitlfield & Roy Searcy: St. Joseph News-Press March 20, 1998 photocopy Music touches emotions has a newspaper photocopy picture of Rosetta Whitfield and Roy Searcy singing at Papa Nick's in Kansas City. The picture captures the intensity, the suddenly remembered sorrow and joy , and the moments of emotional purity that blues and jazz musicians draw from within. Phil King: St. Joseph News-Press January 28, 2001 is a story about Phil King and a picture of him. Mr. King now 80 and a resident of St. Joseph recalls the nights the band was playing in nightclubs. Barltett School Band: St. Joseph News-Press has a story and pictures of the Bartlett band. The school closed in 1954 and became Horace Mann School. The school was limited in every phase of education. In spite of it all, the top 5 percent of the students overcame and were successful in many endeavors. The school excelled in band and many times took awards for parades such as the Apple Blossom. The marching band was under the direction A. R. Whaley. There is a picture of the band and a picture of the high school. There is also a photocopy picture of the chorus and the band when Mr. Louis Cross was director. There is a picture of the parade 1947-48. Milton Bundy: St. Joseph News-Press photocopy Milton Bundy was the black promoter of St. Joseph. All of the black dances promoted in St. Joe were done by him. Lillian Bundy remembered her husbands as a hard-working entrepreneur who also enjoyed life. Even when black performers like Duke Ellington and Count Basie came to town, they often played in places that were off limits to blacks. He was considered a pioneering figure in Black St. Joseph history. He gave dances, operated recreation centers and provided a place for the young and old to spend the day and weekend. It didn't take long for Mr. Bundy to get Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Jay McShann and other popular performers to come to St. Joseph for black audiences, too. Mr. Bundy died at the age 77 on September 9, 1980. He was not known as a pioneer in his day, but he left a mark that many of us will not soon forget. Blacks on Stamps: In this folder is a poster with famous black men who were honored by having their pictures put on government stamps. They are: Coleman Hawkins, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Erroll Garner, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, James P. Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Eubie Blake, and Charles Mingus Acapella Ensemble: A photocopy of the A Cappella Ensemble picture is in the folder. This chorus was conducted by the Rev. Ennis Whaley pastor of St. Luke Methodist Church. The group sings without an accompaniment. The chorus has appeared in many cities and states. The Rev. Whaley has served many churches throughout the United States. Two years ago he accepted a call to serve St. Luke Methodist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Besides singing they are trying to create a better understanding among interracial groups . Their popularity and press reviews attest to the fact that they have succeeded. St. Joseph News-Press March 21, 1997 there is a photocopy picture of the St. Joseph Ensemble Chorus which was organized in 1959. First row from left: Forestine Johnson, Naomi Powell, Emma Taylor, Thelma Chambers, Virginia Glass, Lorene White, Ruth Galbreath, Shirley Words, Catherine Mays and Ennis Wahley, director. Second row; Francis Hatcher, Ethyle Brown, Verdett Smith, Navell Campbell, Louise Browning, Elizabeth Tillman, Edith Brown, Louise Williamson, Oliver Browning, Third row: Herbie Johnson, Charles Moore, Tommy Mozee, Dennis Patterson, Robert Gorman, William Tillman, Joe Mays, Robert Chambers, Robert Tillman, Robert Campbell, Richard Brissco, and Donnie Jones. William E. Tillman: St. Joseph News-Press October 11, 1990 has an article about William E. Tillman. He He has been playing the piano and organ music for 47 years at Holsey Chapel in St. Joseph, Missouri. He began playing at age10. His father and mother Edward Tillman and his aunt Bertha Willmans recognized his musical talent and had him take lessons. Then he took training for two years at Lincoln University. He began playing at the church when he was 13. He also plays at the Mitchell Park Christian Church when that church's organist is absent . He also plays at other churches and events in the city. One of performances was as an accompanist at a recital given by Helen Jackson, wife of the minister of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. He likes all kinds of music but has a special fondness for gospel. His favorite is "Ride on King Jesus". He also has a talent for voice. During the 1960's , he sang with the Acappella Ensemble, touring on both the east and west coasts. Mr. Tillman and his wife Helen are the parents of five children. The couple has five children and also raised two of their grandchildren as their own. None of the children play either the piano or the organ. There is also a newspaper picture of Mr. Tillman. Other Musicians: There is a photocopy picture of Lionel Hampton in this folder. The We Three Trio, Jimmie Dixon, Donnie May, and John Hughes photocopy picture is in the folder. Thelma Adams has the original. She is the daughter of John Hughes. There is a photocopy picture of 1960s music group. The musicians are Mike Rivers and John Hughes. Another photocopy picture is of John Hughes, Bobbie Montgomery (brother of Wes Montgomery, jazz player). Four posters and two CD's were donated by Charlotte May on November 5, 2002. Young at Heart, November 22, 2002 has a picture of the St. Joseph Acappella Choral Ensemble singing together in the 1960s. Members are: Joseph Mays, Charles Franklin, Thomas Mozee, Dennis Patterson, Robert Gorman, Robert Chambers, Robert Tillman, Donnie Jones, Rev. Ennis Whaley, Bedette Smith, Virginia Glass, Connie Brown, Louise Browning, Margaret Brown, Elizabeth Tillman, Robert Campbell and Oliver Browning, Frances Harper, Thelma Chambers, Vietta Combs, Edith Brown, Shirley Words and Kathryn Mays. Phil King: In Alonzo Weston's column Reminiscing with relatives a way of hitting one of life's sweet spots, he tells about taking time so spend with his uncle, Phil King. He started out to videotape him for an oral history series that he was doing for the Kena-Von Black Archives and the St. Joseph Museum. His uncle was a prominent musician and disc jockey. He fronted the popular Phil King's Dynatones band that performed at the Players Club during the 1950s and 1960s. A photo of him hangs on the wall of the Black Archives. At the interview he talked about his mother and father and how he met Ella Weston who later became Ella King. He talked about how he found God. He gave up playing piano in jazz clubs long ago. Now he just plays gospel music on the church organ. Nat Towles Band: In this folder there is a photocopy picture of the Nat Towles Band at Krug Park, 1939. This picture was the courtesy of the Kansas City Museum, Kansas City, Missouri and the Western Historical Museum. Ink Spots: There is also at photocopy picture of the Ink Spot singing "Maybe" at the Frog Hop, St. Joseph, Missouri April 13, 1941. Phil King: May 2, 2007 St. Joseph News-Press printed the obituary for Phillip E. King. He was born July 11, 1920 in Williamsport, PA to Phillip King Sr. and Esther (Fairfax) King. He attended Hampton University and Tuskegee Institute and served in the U.S. Army during WW II doing work with the Chaplain Service. He was a member of Ebenezer Grant A.M.E. Church and volunteered his time delivering tapes and Bibles to shut-ins. A former musician, he had a group called Phil King and the Dynatones, that played locally. He was the organist at the Ebenezer Grant A.M.E. Church. He was employed as a legal clerk for the U.S. Treasury Depart, retiring in 1994. His parents , brother Jackson King and sister Esther Cuyjet preceded him in death. He has daughters Artie King, Velda King-Mays, Novetta King, Cindy Doyle, Carolyn Hood, and Phyllis Wallace. Interment was at Ashland Cemetery St. Joseph, Missouri . Wilbur May: St. Joseph News-Press February 2, 2014 has a picture of Wilbur May who is a local musican and businessman. W.E. B. DuBois described the exceptional people among his race as the 'The Talented Tenth' Dr. DuBois was an early 20th century black author, historian and civil rights activist who said that with honor came the responsibly to lift up the least in society. The News-Press recognizes some of those exceptional black men and women in our community: Wilbur May is one wo knows everyone and everyone seems to know. him. He is a co-founder of formed bands in the city since 1969 including Collisions in Black, Mantes, Mellow Madness and his current band. He has played with Bugsy Maugh, Jerry Forney, Frank Ace and many other local and Kansas City musicians. He owned a music store called Toe Jams from 1988 to 1996 and opened a barbecue restaurant called Boogaloo's. His advice to young people was keep focused, keep educated and stay out of trouble, stay true to yourself and other people.

Collection

Black Archives

Lexicon

Search Terms

Black Musicians, Black History, Black Vocalists, Dynatones, Bartlett High School

Legacy Lexicon

Object Name

File, Folder

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Maintenance

Maintenance History

Date

Jan 21, 2014

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Frank Ace

Person or Organization

Thelma Adams

Person or Organization

Louis Armstrong

Person or Organization

Bill Banks

Person or Organization

Dr. Carris Bartlett

Person or Organization

Count Basic

Person or Organization

George H. Bell

Person or Organization

Eubic Blake

Person or Organization

Connie Brown

Person or Organization

Edith Brown

Person or Organization

Margaret Brown

Person or Organization

Margaret Brown

Person or Organization

Louise Browning

Person or Organization

Oliver Browning

Person or Organization

Lillian Bundy

Person or Organization

Milton Bundy

Person or Organization

Robert Campbell

Person or Organization

Chambers, Robert

Person or Organization

Thelma Chambers

Person or Organization

Thelma Chambers

Person or Organization

John Coltrane

Person or Organization

Vietta Combs

Person or Organization

Etta Cox Green

Person or Organization

Louis Cross

Person or Organization

Mary Crowley

Person or Organization

Esther Cuyjet

Person or Organization

Jimmie Dixon

Person or Organization

Cindy Doyle

Person or Organization

Duke Ellington

Person or Organization

Taylor Emma

Person or Organization

Ester Fairfax

Person or Organization

Jerry Forney

Person or Organization

Charles Franklin

Person or Organization

Ellis Freeman

Person or Organization

Ruth Galbreath

Person or Organization

Erroll Garner

Person or Organization

Glass, Virginia

Person or Organization

Robert Gorman

Person or Organization

Lionel Hampton

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Frances Harper

Person or Organization

Hawkins, Coleman

Person or Organization

Carolyn Hood

Person or Organization

John Hughes

Person or Organization

Byron Jackman

Person or Organization

Forestine Johnson

Person or Organization

Herbie Johnson

Person or Organization

James P. Johnson

Person or Organization

Donnie Jones

Person or Organization

Laurence C. Jones

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Artie King

Person or Organization

Ella King

Person or Organization

Esther King

Person or Organization

Jackson King

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Novetta King

Person or Organization

Philip E. King

Person or Organization

Phillip King, Sr.

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Velda King-Mays

Person or Organization

Bugsy Maugh

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May Charlotte

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Donnie May

Person or Organization

Wilbur May

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Catherine Mays

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Joseph Mays

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Kathryn Mays

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Jay McShann

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Charles Mingus

Person or Organization

Thelonious Monk

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Bobbie Montgomery

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Wes Montgomery

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Charles Moore

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Jelly Roll Morton

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Bennie Moten

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Thomas Mozee

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Charlie Parker

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Dennis Patterson

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Cindy Pickerel

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Naomi Powell

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Leslie Harper Purcell

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Mike Rivers

Person or Organization

Roy Searcy

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Bedette Smith

Person or Organization

Frankie Thornton

Person or Organization

Elizabeth Tillman

Person or Organization

Helen Tillman

Person or Organization

Robert Tillman

Person or Organization

William Tillman

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Nat Towles

Person or Organization

Wallace, Phyllis

Person or Organization

Weston, Alonzo

Person or Organization

Weston, Ella

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Whaley, Ennis Rev.

Person or Organization

Whilfield, Rosetta

Person or Organization

White, Lorene

Person or Organization

Williamson, Louisa

Person or Organization

Shirley Words