Floodlights and Footlights
July 26, 1947
p. 22
So now it’s “Anna Lucasta” that's going to London. Everyone wants to know which Anna will go. Rumors fly of a split in ideas between Hilda Sims and Harry Gribble due to situations which arose during “A Lady Passing Fair” production… Billy Taylor has just completed four sides for HRS Records. But records won’t show up his delightful faces he makes while playing the piano… ”Love Conquers All” is not just a platitude, but it is a musical drama presented by Strutting Sam, the maraca king at the Club Baron from Friday to Sunday July 25, 26, and 27. Count me in… Jimmie Lunceford’s untimely death is a blow to the whole country; everybody remembers his socko record hits. He really had become an institution… Fats Thomas who skyrocketed to popularity by way of the Regent Theatre is making four sides for the new company, “Lissen” records with an original tune of his own… Freddie Fulton, the guy who stages those huge benefits at Madison Square Garden[,] is giving a show at the Commodore Hotel some time [sic] in August for his World War One Buddies. Princess Nyoka, and several other star acts are skedded… the deal is currently in the making, according to inside information from Joe Bostic where Lil Green will be teamed with Cootie Williams’ band for an extensive tour in September… fine combination… caught Buddy Johnson at the Apollo the other evening, and I must say, his classics surprise a body. The swing maestro can play a mean Chopin. His sister takes care of the blues vocals. Hey, Mr. Schiffman, how about some air conditioning at the Apollo, the weather is hot, and the music is hot, so what about it? Lester Young scored at the Zanzibar in Philadelphia the other Friday… Dizzy Gillespie is back to his first love, 52st at the Downbeat Club. Mel Torme, new singing sensation was on hand Friday to give him a sendoff… how about that choosing the [C]adillac down in North Carolina? Understand the girl singer with Cavallero’s band wouldn’t choose another number after they found the winner was a Negro.
Read recently where Mary Lou had asked Lee Mortimer to collaborate with her on some songs. Gosh, with all the top, and I do mean top lyric writers, both uptown and downtown, why pick a guy like Mortimer to collaborate with. Thumbs down on him… Mme Stella Richard-Herlinger, director of the summer Theatre Workshop of the Harlem YWCA is being met by friends Monday at an informal soiree… watch for the all-Negro owned and operated Cyclone Records who are putting out all of Mae West’s old stuff. Funny nobody ever thought of it before. Sam Manning heads the outfit which has some unusual material… Sy Oliver is going to lay off for the summer and come back full strength in the Fall. Lots of his musicians will be available then.
The Golden Gate Quartet, for the greater part of this summer are remaining in Hollywood to work in Sam Goldwyn’s “Ball of Fire” the Danny Kaye film. They are steadily recording for Columbia Records. They recently were heard for eight straight weeks on the Henry Morgan show… The Basin Street Boys have their bags packed and are headed East… they are set for two weeks in Detroit, having just finished four new sides for Exclusive records. Welcome, Lena Horne to the pages of PV, ditto Paul Robeson who both debut as columnists this week… Cafe Society Downtown is opening with a new show with Dave Martin’s orchestra and Cliff Jackson at the piano and Rose Murphy; Annabelle Hill is being held over. Josephson who took a quick trip to Hollywood came back with Nellie Lutcher record star all signed on dotted line.
Little Mary Stafford with the great big beautiful voice, an Arthur Bryson find, doing great via a Cyclone disc, “Can’t Find That Kind” and “Lonesome”… two copies already worn thin on Braddock Bar juke box [sic]…
Eddie Durham is back and his fine hand has been hooked for some of the City Park engagements… Andy Oliver and his completely remodelled band are in Jersey at the Picadilly… Ram Ramirez, ace piano player and composer has gone up to Saratoga Springs with Will Vodery who is having entertainment at his bistro there this summer, as are most of the places this season… Many stars are now hitting the vacation spots, and Broadway and Seventh av won’t seem quite the same until September…