"DIXIE" JUBILEE SINGERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 4

"DIXIE" JUBILEE SINGERS.

CALEDONIAN HALL ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

| "Who and what are the Famous "Duae" Jubilee Singers? The "Dixies" arc the best and most popular -troupe of Jubilco Singers in America, to-day. They attract tho biggest audience? throughout both Canada and the U.S.A. They aro quite deserving of it, too; for not "only aro they a company of -well-trained singers and entertainers, but they present n programme that 13 popular, clean and not lacking numbers of a, really high quality. Tho southern melodies are, of course, tho most popular. Tho programmes aro varied and include everything from tho old plantation nongs to scenesfrom different operas. In short,-tha "Dixie" Jubilee Singers aro tho greatest combination of their kind in tho world today. This is no an exaggerated, statement-, but is a. gonuin© fart. Mr "0". C. Buckner 3 the leader of the '"Dixies," who is reoognised as tho foremost negro jubilee leader in the world, Twsaeseoa a wonderful basso voice, and it is said that to hear him eing"Old Black Joe" is worth the price of admission a.lone, while Ha/lamo Buckner (soprano) and Miss Helen Smallwoo-i (deep contralto) are claimed to bo the greatest singers oJ their raco, Madame Buckner having starred in some of tho greatest companies in America. It is only on account of her preference for being in the'samo company with her husband that, she is now in New Zealand. Another reason for tho popularity .of the "Dixies" ia their individual efforts to please, never refusing an. encore; while tho good taste shown, in the selection of the numbers and the doportmeivt of the company both on and off the sto.ge are worthy of the highest praise. Musical tapte- in America runs the gamut from the classics to tho jazziest of jazz, but there in one. typo of vocal musio that has consistently, retained its popularity, not alono with the popular audience, but with tho- severest critics as well. Tb.it type is the negro Jubilee. "Whatever it is that defies analysis in tho music of tho negro, there is no denying its charm. Where all other types of musical programme find difficulty in maintaining a, universal appeal, the foremost "Dixie" Jubilee company goes ou year after year,, the .biggestfavourites,; ■bever . failing, to delight, 'and oharm. ovary, audienc,©. An atmbsphsro of the sunny south,musically speaking, pervades tho auditorium. Listening: to the "Diries" "one can visualise, cotton -fields, the old log cabin o£ the alavery days, mammy- and the pickaninies, the ncgTo camp meeting, the banjo,, and humorous and boisterous darkies. Xt is said that a performance by this company is the most complete and fascinating musical entertainment ever presented, the memory of which will never fade. The company will open in Chmtchurch on Saturday at tho Caledonian. Hall.