The Southern Syncopated Orchestra: Addenda

As previously remarked (Rye 2009, 156), research such as this into the Southern Syncopated Orchestra has no realistic end, and new information continually emerges. The opportunity is here taken to present some of the most significant recent findings and also to correct a couple of the major errors and omissions that inevitably escaped the most conscientious editing and checking.

The Southern Syncopated Orchestra in Belfast

The acquisition by Konrad Nowakowski of a program printed by Belfast News-Letter Ltd., relating to the Orchestra's engagement in Ireland's second city for two weeks from November 7, 1921, enables more detail to be given about the program there. It also enables two new names to be added to the Roster (see below). The copy of the program to hand has penciled annotations by its original owner, which inspires confidence that the advertised program was played.

The anticipated program opened, as at Brighton, with Will Marion Cook's "Swing Along" by Orchestra and Chorus, followed by "Cuckoo Waltz" by the Orchestra. Next came solos by Fred Archer ("Roll Jordan"), Bert Marshall ("Jessamine," with chorus), and James Ansley, a new name ("I Got a Robe"), after which the Orchestra played "Peter Gink." William Taylor performed "Jericho" followed by J. H. Boucher's violin solo, František Alois Drdla's "Souvenir." The attendee has noted that Boucher played "Little Grey Home in the West" as an encore. This was followed by "Russian Rag" by the Orchestra, Mrs. H. King Reavis performing "Deep River" by H. T. Burleigh with "Mammy's Little Coal Black Rose" as a medley, Harry Wellmon's "Jazz in the Harem" by the Orchestra, and another medley, "Li'l Gal" and "I Wish I Was a Child Again" by Farley B. Graden. The first half closed with "Southland Melodies" by Mrs. H. King Reavis and Chorus.

The second half opened with "Whispering" and "Camp Meeting Blues" by the Orchestra, separated by "Old Black Joe" sung by Charles Chivers. Frank G. Cook, the other new name, then performed a "Violincello Solo," Squire's "Meditation in C." Like Boucher's classical instrumental in the first half, this was encored, again with a lighter piece, "I'll Sing the Songs of Araby." Bert Marshall and William Taylor performed "Bright Eyes," followed by "Bonnie Lassie" by the Orchestra, and "Selections from Traditional Repertoire" by Quartette. The performance climaxed with William Taylor's bones solo on "Dear Old Virginia" and the Orchestra playing "My Mammy." Lieutenant E. E. Thompson conducted. No other performers are mentioned.

The lack of relationship to the program quoted in reviews of the opening performance (Rye 2009, 216) is striking and perhaps suggests that this is the second week's program. This was the orchestra's last engagement in Britain and the last under the original billing. Some of the changes are noteworthy. "Old Black Joe," reported as a solo for Herbert Parker, has now been given to Charles Chivers. At Brighton it had been performed by Elmer Certain. On opening night, James Boucher had played "Ave Maria" with a cello obbligato. Unfortunately it is not known whether this was provided by the mysterious Frank Cook. Given that William Taylor is again confirmed as the bones soloist, it is evident that he may also be the bones-playing drummer referred to in the Belfast Telegraph review. Farley Graden's name is correctly spelled in this program and this is hence not the source of the "Grayden" misspelling otherwise consistent in Irish reportage.

Orchestre Syncopé des Etats-Unis du Sud, Paris, 1922

The solution to the mystery of the French language promotional flyer carrying portraits both of Will Marion Cook and H. M. Wellmon (Rye 2009, 199n37, 217–218) may be that Cook did succeed in re-forming the orchestra in Paris. It appeared under this name at the Gaumont Palace "for Easter," probably from April 14 to 20. Abbie Mitchell and the Gilmores are also pictured, but Buddie Gilmore is billed the same week at the Olympia. ("Spectacles & Concerts" 1922).

The Syncopated Orchestra in Vienna

Further research by Konrad Nowakowski has uncovered two lists of performers joining the...