DIXIE JUBILEE SINGERS

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 6

DIXIE JUBILEE SINGERS

THE OPENING NIGHT. Ever eince. the-famous Fiske organisation of Negro singers went on tour round the world, with their quaint plantation ©>ngs, and. hcme-made religious chants, similar combinations of coloured vocalists havo become vastly poiiular, so that tho first appearance of the "Dixie Jubilee Singers" on Saturday night, at tho Caledonian Hall, drew, quite naturally, a crowded house. Their name suggests that they' icamo straight from Dixieland, Iho Negro parudi-so. which no doubt they left with a- pang. Most of their members might pass for white peoplo, "colour" is pronounced in tho case of one

gentleman onlv, a d sappointment in a way. especially in these days cf the "All Blacks, | The 1 present party, who claim to bo thepatriarchs of jubilee singers, consists of seven members, of whom,, in the first instance,, a short sketch is hero attempted to l>o drawn. All sorts of voices are rer presented, all versatile contributors; devout, serious one moment, humorous or frivolous tho. r.ext. There is the inevitable prima donna, in tho person oE Msdamo Buckner, who singa the "Swaneo Biver," "I Know Not' Why." etc.: a contralto,' Mi'o Holen Smallwood, double-voiced inasmuch as sho convoys the impression of a light baritono, olternntir.:? with the ordinary rango'of the alto, like in the sung "Absent." Mr Louib Morris also figures in a double capacity, as a- humorous tenor, an absolutely new ( tvpo, and as--* clever "lightning cartoonist" —almost lightning, at any. rate.. One j? impressionist picture he dra,vs upsido down, keeping the audience amused with continuous patter all along. Described as a- "lyric tenor," Mr Oseeolo Coma, very earnest and : enthusiastic, ..operates ..with, explosive ■ force or in mysterious v-hispers in turn._ 'Plenty,| oE-voicn and confidence ke«p him inspived. Then there is Mr Willis Gaiwe. tho "Canadian baritone." likewise conspicuous for verv active t-eniperament and agilitv in his ■ movements on the stage as well. The: basso-manager, Mr W. C. Buckner, can riot -onlv go. down fathomless depth* with his , voice, when ho tings,. but Tcveali ■himsolf j p«- an npt. reciter, whether he speaks "of. the Mill, that never grinds again,''-of portrays a dramatic episode between "hither and boy" -'llli vivid touches.'. And. anally Mr Marcus d'Albert ' officiated. not only nimbly and, re- ] liablv as nccomminist. but secured a treble recall for his solo. performances as well.'al- : though tho iristni-ment at his disposal has seen belter- days.' I 3 it also tho original piano? When thev -sins; in- a body complete. i{ is .with -full steam up: they could fill tlie"'space cf'l'ho Wembley Stadium, ;md yet with something to spare' ■ As a male quartet, they arc'less lavish, moro in keep-: insr with tho' -ditriensionn of the hall,- and| most', people, one should ha'vo ' thought, would prefer the diminished vocal display; - but ostensibly, the audicrce acclaimed cverj'- - thing and everybody wi-th.tho eame fervour,, and witJi a fine impartiality, evidently from' a sense of enjoyment, to be sustained at -oil' co.=t?. . ■' '■ j . The programme, .proved as diversified generous in extent -as the most .exacting patron could deaire. ,-Spli, with and without, choral - rxcomoanimmts, quartettes, full choral numbers, readings and cartoon-mak-ing, all wero'called into requisition, not. to f-oreet'■'piii-nist-ic .nc-tivit-}-. There, .wero-. included some genuine' plantation, songs. Bomo "spirituals,!!''• of: thc. : kind that .'is .characteristic of tho race; with its familiar relations to Heaven'and an, occasional excursion to,tho other" : place/;''ballad*., humorous itr-ms, ..anion? which, the ono of 'pies and cakes" ' was 'best appreciated, and. so forth in endless varietv.. They are not stingy in the way oL-supply. ',: ■•.-••., ~' As has bocri stated before, the. hall. 8 r; crowded, and> -little .more yentilatipp would j have been acceptable, for,' eo hot a.; night. The company" will • -appear in Calethroughout -tho- week: '...,.

■ There •was a-very large 'aUen'dance-in'ihe Jellicoe-Hall "last night, when a Sunday evening concert wa3 given by the Dixie Jubilee Singers in; aid .of the' returned soldiieie' bind. ... ..'■' . ■'.-■