Claude's Cheer

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 6

Claude's Cheer

QAVIOR of the amateur songster, who O tremblingly responds to the chair-

man's request for an item at the many smoking- concerts for which Christchurch is noted, is Claude Rus r sell, whose principal means of diversion from the every-day, humdrum occupation of selling 1 plate, cut glass and binoculars is a night at the piano.

And the heavier the night — the thicker, the atmosphere— witii smoke — the better Claude does his , stuff.

His home town is"' Masterton, where he first hopped into the musical game. When the war was at an end he found himself at the piano for the touring "Diggers" and much of the success of that talented combination originated from the work put into it by their musical director. For when' Claude starts enticing those ivories you get it from grand opera to jazz. Meanwhile, White Leghorns and Brussels sprouts are the principal seasonal diversion. But when the next smoking concert hovers round, ■ Claude and his bald patch will be there, spreading the gospel of "laugh and grow fat." .