Southern Syncopated Orchestra: The Roster

Abstract

In this section appear basic biographies for all musicians known to have worked with the Southern Syncopated Orchestra in Europe, although without repeating information on major figures which may easily be recovered from standard reference sources on jazz or African-American music. In many cases these biographies are extremely sparse, and in a few cases nothing is known of the musicians' origins and career beyond their involvement in the SSO. The length of the biographies does not reflect either the relative or absolute importance of the performers, but the amount of information available and whether it has previously been available in an accessible format. As a general rule, personal relationships are mentioned only when relevant to professional activities or when marriages were contracted or children born while the artist was in Europe. It must be emphasized that SSO engagements listed are those at which the artist's presence can be demonstrated from contemporary sources. It will be evident from the main text that for many engagements only the names of principals are known. Wherever the words "member of SSO" appear they should be construed as "confirmed as member of SSO." The most important sources and record series used in the compilation of this data are listed in the list of record series consulted, which appears at the end of this article. Otherwise sources are noted only when they are not obvious public records series or contemporary newspapers and/or reliability is in doubt or sources are in conflict. Allen, David Cornelius. Banjoist, vocalist. Nationality unknown. Member of SSO for five weeks. Dismissed in Glasgow, January 1920. Archer, Frederick (real name: Akinlawon Olumuyiwa). Vocalist. Nigerian. Reportedly a former medical student at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London. Member of SSO in Glasgow, September/October 1921. Baker, George N. Vocalist. Born Louisville, Kentucky, August 16, 1875. Came to Europe in September, 1908 as an actor. Registered as a U.S. national at the consulate in Edinburgh, March 21, 1915. Wrote music and lyrics for and performed in 1916 touring show Dark Town Jingles. Described himself as a music-hall artiste when he registered for the draft in London in 1918. Member of SSO in London at Philharmonic Hall, 1919; Kingsway Hall, 1920. Bates, Frank (Allan Fitzgerald). Vocalist. Born St. Michael, Barbados, July 14, 1889, according to his apparent birth certificate, or November 19, 1892, according to his U.K. Seamen's Identity Certificate. Served as able seaman in the British Merchant Marine. Gave his profession as actor in July 1919. Member of SSO in Glasgow, September/October 1921. Died in Rowan disaster, October 9, 1921. Married Fanny Vivian, London, December 31, 1918; living descendants in Great Britain. "Battle Ace." Drummer. Recalled as working with SSO at London Coliseum, December 1919. Not securely identified. Benny Peyton was by his own testimony the drummer on this engagement. Drummer Carl Kenny, formerly of Jim Europe's band, was nicknamed "Battle Axe," but there is nothing to connect him with this engagement or to suggest he was in Britain at this time. Bechet, Sidney (often "Sydney" in contemporary sources). Clarinetist and soprano saxophonist. Born New Orleans, Louisiana, May 14, 1896, according to a 1917 draft registration signed by a second party, but May 14, 1897, according to his baptismal certificate, his 1918 draft registration, which bears his own signature, and his passport application of May 13, 1919. By his own account played with the New York Syncopated Orchestra in New York City in 1919. Recruited for Louis Mitchell's abortive trip to Paris. Went to England with SSO Carmania party. Played with SSO in London June to December 1919. From December 31, 1919 until September 1, 1922, member of Benny Peyton's Jazz Kings, with interruptions, including an engagement in Belgium with (Louis) Mitchell's Jazz Kings in June 1920. …