Rhythm Bones Player A Newsletter of the Rhythm Bones Society Volume 6, No. 1 2004

In this Issue

Frank Brower, the Executive Director’s Column First Minstrel Bones Player Keep on clicking or perhaps get your old your own way will become a ‗new you‘ as a bones out again. Bones Fest VIII (BFVIII) is in bones player this year. I have taken mine out of Brief Summary of Early Minstrel Bones the formative stage and Lake Anne Plaza in the box, got a new can of rosin and plan to start Players Reston, VA is waiting for us. See the process. You can do it too with a little push

Yirdy Machar finds lakeanneplaza.com. Also plan a visit to our and some practice. Minstrel Bones Nation‘s Capital while you are in the area. For those of you who may have forgotten to Player We were introduced to many new (to us) but renew your 2003-2004 membership, it is not too

John Hill’s experienced bones players during the past year. I late. Since our fiscal year runs from October Australian Bones am looking forward to going to the DC area for through October of the next year and you don‘t Contest Bones Fest VIII because there will be many new recall whether or not you have already renewed, Review of Chris faces, but I will not overlook old friends with just send a $25 check payable to RBS to Steve Caswell’s new ‗licks.‘ Great examples of this over the Wixson and he will handle it. If you have Bodhran and Bones Video years include Steve Wixson, Chattanooga TN; already paid the renewal fee your check will be Mel Mercier, Cork Ireland; Bill Vits, Grand returned. Mel Mercier Honored Rapids MI; Walt Watkins, Arlington TX; Spike Have a great year and visit with my family Bones Missouri/Illinois and others too and me in Reston, VA in 2004. May your bones Columns numerous to mention. I hope that each of you in be with you. Ev Cowett

Executive Director

Editorial , First Minstrel Bones Player Letters to the Editor Frank Brower was a circus performer for

Tips and Techniques most of his career, but he is better known to us as the first minstrel rhythm bones player. Website of the Quarter There is not much written about Brower and even less about his bones playing. This article Recording of the Quarter is the only article titled with his name other than his obituaries though there are likely Calendar of Bones Events stories I could not find buried in the newspapers and magazines of his time. This Future Issues article contains large sections of material from

Comparison of the three articles along with other material that is Bones woven into a story. Some of it is quoted Instructional Videos verbatim from the sources with minimal Joe Birl editing. The first is from a hand written

Shorty Boulet manuscript by John A. Dingess. ―We present the name of Francis Marion Brower, better known as Frank Brower, who first saw the light in Baltimore, MD, November 30th, 1823, and made his first appearance on the stage, singing and dancing, at Richard Myers‘ Museum at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, PA, about 1838. Frank Brower‘s first engagement with an equestrian company was with Rogers, Shay and Meteer‘s Cincinnati Circus, which started from that city in the Spring of 1840. In this connection I must here introduce another Frank Brower, courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia. From their Theatre Collection. (Continued on page 6)

1 Editorial myself, did a paper for Mystic on Rhythm Bones Player music at sea - specifically music in the short-lived Confederate Navy, which This issue has an historical article Rhythm Bones Society was surprisingly abundant. No Volume 6, No. 1 on the first minstrel bones player, references to bones per se, but several First Quarter 2004 Frank Brower. Founding member, ISSN: 1545-1380 to ad hoc minstrel bands which must Deborah Brower, thinks Frank is a have included them. distant relative of her husband. Editor I also attached the autobiographical Steve Wixson Today, to many, Brower is piece I send out with the rib bones I [email protected] politically incorrect, but in his day he make for Lark In The Morning. I was a respected performer. Mt. Executive Director never found wooden bones of Vernon, Ohio, honors its hometown Everett Cowett particular interest, though I've been [email protected] son, , who with Brower playing rib bones for over two founded the . We, Web Site Coordinator decades. Even solid ivory doesn't thrill too, need to find a way to honor Jonathan Danforth me, even the ones in the Smithsonian Francis Marion Brower. [email protected] once owned by a famous minstrel A parallel article briefly tells the player from the 19th century the Board of Directors story of a few other early minstrel Steve Brown, Assistant Director curator once let me play. I actually bones players. Sally Carroll made a set of ironwood (lignum vitae) Member Yirdy Machar traveled to Everett Cowett, Executive Director bones back in the late '80s which were Gil Hibben Scotland and met an old minstrel laminated in such a way that the Mel Mercier bones player. Jerry Mescher matching insides of the laminates were Member John Hill tells the story of Steve Wixson, Secretary/Treasurer hollowed out to give the final product his winning the Australia World the deep sound of rib bones. Sounded The Rhythm Bones Player is published Bones Championship. It turns out that quite nice, but still not as rich as the quarterly by the Rhythm Bones Society. his father was a minstrel bones Nonmember subscriptions are $10 for one year; real thing. performer. RBS members receive the Player as part of their Another unusual set of ‗bones‘ I dues. Thanks to Bill Vits for his Tips and once picked up on the beach in The Rhythm Bones Player welcomes letters to Techniques column on the quadruplet Washington State, near La Push. Some the Editor and articles on any aspect of bones roll he performed at Bones Fest VII. playing. All material submitted for consideration of the black, flat, sea-rounded stones Congratulations to Board member is subject to editing and condensation. there are seriously thin and oblong, 5- Mel Mercier on being honored by his 6" and put out an astonishingly loud Rhythm Bones Central web site: rhythmbones.com University College Cork in Ireland. sound. Unfortunately, overenthusiastic The last of the known bones playing results in them suddenly Marty is Kay‘s cousin and attended instructional videos is reviewed in this spontaneously smashing to pieces. the Saturday night of Bones Fest VI in issue. The next issue will have an Cheers, Greensboro. He asked us to help with article that compares all of the John Townley ([email protected]) Music Camp and since we were too reviewed videos. There is a lot of good instructional material out there. Kay and John, How can I ever thank you for all your help with the Bones Calendar Letters to the Editor bones. Music Camp is in full gear and Webmaster Jonathan Danforth they are all having a ball. The older keeps an up-to-date calendar at We've confirmed the use of Lake kids are learning about and how to rhythmbones.com/calendar.html. Anne Plaza in Reston, VA. (20 play the bones. For bones they used Check it out often. minutes from Dulles Airport) for yard sticks cut into 6 inch pieces. Ev April 24. New England Folk Bones Fest VIII to be held August 20- Cowett is teaching the older kids at Festival. Steve Brown‘s annual bones 22, 2004. Plan to attend from Friday camp to play them. Our grandson, workshop featuring several of our afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Joey (12 yrs) has learned to play them bones players. Contact Steve Brown See insert for preliminary details. pretty well. He can do both hands and at [email protected] Sally and Terry Carroll. has learned how to make them snap May 3. All Ireland Bone Playing and roll. Competition. Contact Steve Brown. Thanks for the copies of the Ev Cowett is called Dr. E. at camp. newsletter with Tim Reilly's article on August 20-22. Bones Fest VIII at Besides the bones, they are learning Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA hosted Bones at Sea. I met him (and actually about the psaltery, the tumbrel, the did some filming with him, as I now by Sally and Terry Carroll. See insert. shofar and the pipe--all ancient August 30-September 5. Old recall) at Mystic Seaport quite some instruments. Every year they have a time ago. It's really quite a thorough Time Country Contest & Festival. On different format for the camp and September 4th, the 29th Annual Bones treatment of the subject, though as he teach different instruments. Marty says, there is probably much more to and Spoon Contest. See back of Mitchell insert. Contact be uncovered in other archives. I, www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com.

2 Tips and Techniques Yirdy Machar Finds a Bill Vits Shares his Minstrel Bones Player Quadruplet Roll I recently visited Scotland to meet a After performing at Bones Fest VII, fabulous character called Fergie Steve Wixson informed me I was MacDonald. He owns a hotel on the playing a quadruplet roll. I hadn‘t most westerly peninsula on the really thought about it, but had a bit of mainland of Scotland. He is a button- time to share it with my bone brothers player, probably the best at the Hibben‘s Sunday brunch. After known in Scotland, having recorded a few months reflection, I will try and 23 albums of Scottish dance music. explain playing groups of four notes, (www.fergiemacdonald.co.uk). 16th notes, with each hand. While visiting him a coach-load of I‘ve been a percussionist for most English tourists arrived for afternoon of my life and approach the bones tea. Fergie asked me to play bones with many traditional drumming along with him to entertain his guests. George Southey in a Pub in Scotland. Note the patterns. I first learned from Percy When we finished playing, and the bones which are played curved sides facing the Danforth in 1978, but it took many coach-party was leaving, a sweet old same and not opposed as most of us play. years for me to develop my own style. man came up to me and thanked me doing a bones workshop at a Festival To master rudimentary drum patterns for `making` his holiday. He told me in Norway, The Sailors Wake, at a one must control the single, double that he used to play the bones 60 years place called Farsund and triple taps with a drum stick. I use ago in a Minstrel Band from (www.nordsjofestivalen.no.) He also the same technique in my bones Worthing, Sussex, in the south of made me a terrific pair of spoons from playing. England, and had not played since. He Brazilian Rosewood which I have just Try playing three quick taps in a is now 90 years old and lives in used in recording a CD. I hope all is gallop rhythm. Keep the thumb facing Chester in Northwest England. well with you and yours and will up and play da da da, da da da using I was curious to know if he could maybe see you next year, at the Bones arm motion in front of your body. This still play and handed him a pair of is very similar to a fast ride bones. Although he said he could not pattern you would play with a stick on play anymore, he immediately started Website of the Quarter a cymbal. At slow tempos it would to play with one pair in a style where swing, but at fast temps it becomes he rolled both hands around one www.tohu-bohu.com/bones/wrapping/ another. To me it was obvious that he and www.tohu-bohu.com/bones/gallery/ three even notes. I'm Jeff Lefferts and here‘s a story Once this gets comfortable, you get played two-handed so I gave him a pair for his empty hand and he amazed about my leather-wrapped bones. The the fourth note when you pull the arm leather quiets the bones down quite a quickly back towards the chest. You me with his double-handed style as if he had been playing all his life. I wish bit, but it also gives them a fuller, must relax so you get the fourth richer sound...more of a ‗clop‘ than a sympathetic note from the quick pull I had a video camera with me; it really was great. I did manage to get a ‗click.‘ It sounds great with slower, back. The arm spends three-fourths of darker songs (I play everything from its time going out from the chest and a photograph. His name is George Southey. old-time to Eastern European to quarter of the time coming back. Klezmer to Persian to Irish to waltzes I don‘t feel I‘ve mastered this lick I have had some wonderful playing experiences recently with the on the bones). When played quietly, because it‘s tough to control at you mostly get the more subdued different dynamics and tempos. When Dubliners, from Ireland, Ally Bain the great player from the Shetland sound of leather-on-leather. But when it feels right, however, it‘s like a you play them more sharply, the wood perpetual motion of 16th notes. This Islands, and Phil Cunningham, accordion virtuoso from Scotland. It beneath begins to resonate, and you pattern works well in bluegrass and get a bit of "crack" to the sound. fast sambas. really has been a busy year and I am still trying to get my web-sites up and You can hear each set of bones Another familiar drum pattern is the being played by clicking on the paradiddle. Try saying par-a-did-dle as running. Hopefully, in about two months I should have the main bones picture. The leather is held on by you play the bones; right, left, right, friction only (no glue or anything). If right, left, right, left, left. This is a one finished (macbones?) I have a guitar and mandolin maker, you have trouble finding suitable good alternating exercise. It‘s leather, I can send you some from especially effective with two different Victor Smith, Flatbush Stringed Instruments, also from the Shetlands, around here. Look at a fabric store, pairs of bones. You can even add a near where they sell twine, elastic, and flam, a grace note, to the beginning of making some bones for me in different types of wood. The first batch should the like. Jeff Lefferts, 188 N. each paradiddle for the advanced Sunnyvale Ave, Sunnyvale, CA lession. Bill Vits Percussionist, Grand be ready for me next week as I am

3 Review of Chris Brief Summary of Recorded Bones Music Caswell’s Bodhran and Early Minstrel Bones Mr. Bones by Sandor Slomovits. Bones Video This CD is a compilation of twelve Players tunes he has recorded over the years, with his brother Laszlo, as the duo, This 50-minute instructional video Gemini. The brothers have played covers bodhran (38 minutes), bones (4 Many of the early minstrel bones music for children and families for the 1/2 minutes), spoons (3 1/2 minutes) players were documented by Edward past three decades and Sandor has and the Scottish drum (4 Rice in his book Monarchs of been playing the bones almost that minutes). The video begins with a Minstrelsy, from “Daddy” Rice to long. He met Percy Danforth in 1976 bodhran and duet with Date. Here are some quotes. and learned to play the bones from Phineas Og Mac Boilermaker. ―George Christy was with Christy‘s him. Sandor lives in Ann Arbor, MI In the bodhran section, Chris starts Minstrels in New York from February and the two struck up a deep with the basic rhythms, those divisible 15, 1847, until October 29, 1853, friendship over the years. Percy and by 2 and those by 3. He describes the during which period he played every Sandor played in concerts together use of box bottoms and attaché cases conceivable part, and he was a great many times until Percy's death in as beginning drums for students. endman and as a bones player ranked 1992. Percy used to call him "my He describes how to use the hand with the very best. prime protegé." At Bones Fest VII, (Chris is left-handed) and the stick to ―William B. Donaldson was the Jonathan Danforth, Percy's grandson, strike the drum surface and then how inventor of the jawbone used as a told Sandor, "You look just like my to hold the drum. He demonstrates the by black-face grandfather when you play the bones." two basic rhythms with variations and performers several years before the The CD includes a wide range of how to perform up-accents for . first minstrel performance was given. music; an Appalachian style fiddle He demonstrates the difference in ―Bob Edwards (Dean) was one of tune, Fid Ban Bone, written by center and edge strikes and how to use the earliest bones players, and in his Sandor's brother for fiddle, and the hand inside the bodhran for youth was known as ―Master‖ bones, traditional songs like Mary dampening and tuning Edwards. In 1841-42 he was a Mack and Dry Bones (perfectly suited After another demonstration, he member of the famous Ethiopian to the bones,) a traditional African adds rim strikes and double sticking. Serenaders. Subsequently he withdrew game song, a wacky bluegrass version He talks about how to play to a from that company, and joined of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine and a melody and demonstrates and Sanford‘s Minstrels in Philadelphia, unique version of I Got Rhythm, for rhythms. He also talks where he remained for a long time. piano, pennywhistle, voice and bones. about when to play and when not to ―George Winship was one of the (Some may remember Sandor's a play; he believes in the ‗less is more‘ pioneers of minstrelsy. As early as cappella version at Bones Fest VII.) philosophy. He concludes this section 1849 he occupied the bone end with The title song is a tribute Sandor's with another bodhran and tin whistle the New York Serenaders, a famous brother wrote for Percy Danforth on duet. minstrel company of that day. the occasion of Percy's 80th birthday In the bones section, Chris begins ―E. Freeman Dixey was one of and tells the story of how Percy by noting that the bodhran rhythms minstrelsy‘s greatest bones players, learned the bones in Washington, DC apply to the bones and that the bones and was a household word in around the turn of the 20th century. naturally produce the equivalent of Philadelphia, where he spent That cut is a live recording (though double sticking. He shows how to hold practically his whole professional most of the rest of the CD was done in the bones with the stationary bone career and the major portion of his the studio) and you can really hear the between the thumb and first finger and life. audience's excitement and enthusiasm the moving bone between the first and ―His first engagement was in for Sandor's bones solo. There is even second fingers (he plays one-handed.) Boston, at the age of eighteen; a tune for bones, I can Feel It In My He demonstrates taps, double taps and subsequently he went to Philadelphia, Bones, accompanied by a full triplets and how to change tone by and opened there at Cartee‘s Lyceum, symphony orchestra! varying how you hold the bones. He the present site of the 11th Street To order copies of the CD, send a demonstrates several different types of Opera House, with the Julien check for $18 to Sandor Slomovits, bones and for what kind of music each Serenaders, December 4, 1854. 2021 Penncraft Ct, Ann Arbor, MI is best suited. He demonstrates ―On April 23, 1855, the house was 48103. Sandor also works with Ray playing slow triplets needed for jigs. opened as Sanford‘s Opera House, by Schairer, the man who has been He concludes with playing three and Sam Sanford, and Mr. Dixey was a making all the Danforth bones since then four bones in his hand. member of the company, and 1976. You can order bones from The video is available from Lark in continued with Sanford. He was born Sandor in a variety of woods, most of the Morning, www.larkinam.com. in Marblehead, MA, July 29, 1833; he them for $10. Email Steve Wixson died in Philadelphia, March 2, 1904.‖ [email protected] or call 734-

4 John Hill Tells His Mel Mercier Honored

World Bones Mel Mercier, Lecturer in Music at Championship Story UCC, was on Friday 5 December 2003 presented with the 2003 UCC Alumni Achievement Award as the nominee Being retired, I was planning to of the faculties of Arts and Celtic drive up north one cold winter to visit Studies, in recognition of his some lifelong friends. Consequently, I achievements in the fields of entered into this event as a bit of fun. composition and performance. "I am It was the first one of its type that proud to be associated with the the ‗Variety Club of Queensland‘ had tradition of excellence for which UCC tried. The Club is involved throughout is renowned," he said. Australia, running all types of events, The annual UCC Alumni including car rallies, to raise funds for Achievement Awards honour underprivileged children. graduates who have obtained I arrived in time to enter into the John ‗Hillbilly Bones‘ Hill playing his whale or extraordinary distinction and success fifth heat and was asked to return for Ivory Bones. From ‗The Border Watch,‘ a in their chosen fields and whose the semi-final and for the Grand Final; newspaper of Mt Gambier, South Australia. Used with permission. achievements have brought these were about a fortnight apart. recognition to UCC. This year there The ‗World Title‘ as far as I know It took a while to hand out the were seven awards, representing the is not connected to any other various trophies to the place getters various faculties in UCC. Presenting competition, but probably used to and toward the end I was the awards, the president of UCC, attract attention. A chap by the name overwhelmed to receive the ‗Bones Professor Gerard Wrixon, said "It of Tommy Campion was the organizer Championship.‘ As well as this; they gives me great pleasure to present an and very easy to get along with. I have had a trophy for ‗Most Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award to these tried but have not been able to contact Artist‘ that really topped my day off. graduates whose outstanding him to see if he intends to run one this It was my first competition that I‘ve accomplishments have brought great year. been in and was thrilled to feel the lift honour to their alma mater." The heats were attended by in my personal profile both in Originally from Dublin, Mel comes approximately 200 to 300 people and Queensland and when arriving home. from a family steeped in traditional the Grand Final by maybe 500 odd. They call me ‗Hillbilly Bones‘ and music; his father, Peadar Mercier, a It was truly a variety show held on this tradition was handed down by my member of until 1976, Sunday afternoons. Variety was in the dad. When I was a little tucker he was was one of his teachers. Mel graduated form of harmonica, spoons, in Minstrel Shows--banjo, from UCC in 1989 with a degree in birdcallers, yodeller, comb & tissue bones, mandolin, top hats and bow music and was subsequently awarded paper, penny whistle, kazoo, Jews- ties. At the age of ten when I picked a Masters in Fine Arts by the harp, tea-chest whistler (bass), musical them up, I just rattled them. Then I got Californian Institute of the Arts in saw, gum leaf player, lagerphone, and a job and the music unfortunately just 1991. He has achieved outstanding of course, bones players. All of this floated away. In recent years I picked success, in both national and was interspersed with professional the instruments back up and still use international arenas, as a composer singers and performers from the ‗Gold the bones that I got from my father. and performer of bodhrán and bones. Coast‘ (a holiday retirees‘ playground I am very proud, underneath it all, Mel has performed with renowned near Brisbane in Queensland.) to be continuing in my father‘s Irish ensembles including De Danann, The Grand Final was a great event footsteps on bones playing. I play Stockton's Wing and Altan and has that had the right atmosphere right what I think are whale bones (but they collaborated and toured extensively from the start, helped along by the could be ivory) along with two with Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. He has compere and comedian Ken Bennett. bullock bones that replaced two of the composed and performed for theatre Having such a variety of entrants, it bones that I lost years ago. and contemporary dance productions was necessary to divide it into sections I am so pleased to find the Rhythm at theatres in Dublin, London, as you couldn‘t compare a ‗birdcaller‘ Bones Society and to be a member of Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, to a bones player. our unique group. John Hill Broadway and Paris. There were three bones players in (Note: check out these websites: John Mel was recently nominated for one the Grand Final. One was a very good at www.abc.net.au/southeastsa/stories/ of American theatre's most prestigious two-handed player and the other, Lem s942940.htm and Lem Bann at awards, the Drama Desk Award, for Bann, was single-handed. www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/stories/ the sound design for Medea, a The backing music was optional— s916160.htm. John lives in Mt production directed by Deborah either live or in most cases we used a Gambier, South Australia, half-way Warner and starring another UCC track from a CD – one number only. between Adelaide and Melbourne. He graduate, Fiona Shaw. Fittingly, he

5 (Frank Brower—Continued from page 1) equestrienne Madam Louisa Howard, performer, in the person of Daniel formerly Louisa Banks, who was one Bones Fest VIII Decatur Emmett, the author and artist, of the most graceful and daring female August 20-22, 2004 who was a member of the band, and riders of her day. She was an immense while the company was traveling in favorite in New York and Philadelphia Western Virginia, found a banjo and appeared with all the leading Lake Anne Plaza player by the name of Ferguson. circuses throughout the country. Emmett wanted to engage him, but the ―In private life Frank Brower was a Reston, VA management objected to an increase in genial companion, engaging in his (20 minutes from Dulles Airport) expenses, though, they were finally manners, and his conversation bristled induced to do so, and when the with instinctive intellect. He possessed Hosted by company reached Lexington, KY, in a large store of anecdotes which he the fall during the races, Ferguson was retailed in his inimitable manner. He Sally and Terry Carroll the greatest card in the show and died at his residence in Philadelphia, Brower and Ferguson were the talk of June 4, 1874.‖ John A. Dingess, 1829- See insert for the town. In the meantime Dan 1901, Manuscript, p. 99-100, Harry Emmett had learned to play the banjo Hertzberg Collection. preliminary details and at the end of the traveling season The story of how the first minstrel Ferguson went south where he died of group was formed has been told in Chatham Theatre for Dick Pelham‘s cholera. almost every article written about benefit, early in February, 1843, and ―The following spring Dan Emmett, minstrelsy. It seems appropriate in an were received with deafening plaudits. after considerable persuasion, agreed article about Brower to include ―During the same week they to play in the orchestra and assist something from his perspective and performed one night for the benefit of Brower in the ring with the banjo. the following is from his obituary as it John Tryon, then manager of the This was the beginning of that appeared in the New York Clipper, Bowery Amphitheatre. Their popularity which continued so many June 13, 1874. performances met with such years and made Frank Brower and ―[Frank Brower] came to New York astounding success that they were at Dan Emmett famous. At Lynchburg, and performed his Negro specialties at once engaged by Welch & Rockwell, VA, during the Fourth of July week, the Franklin Theatre and the Bowery then managers of the Park Theatre, 1841, Frank Brower first introduced Amphitheatre. While performing at where they performed for two weeks ‗bones playing‘ before an audience, the latter place, in December, 1842, in conjunction with , a accompanying Emmett in the new the first idea of a minstrel company celebrated dancer. song of ‗Old Tar River.‘ [Bob Carlin was put in motion by the following ―After this they went to Boston, says the bit about his first playing the persons: Dan Emmett, Frank Brower, Mass., where they played six weeks bones in Lynchburg is incorrect. He and Dick Pelham, who with wonderful success. has broadsides describing his bones all went through a thorough course of ―They then returned to this city playing at the beginning of the 1841 rehearsals at the boarding house of (NY) and performed three nights for season in the spring.] Therefore, I Emmett, No. 37 Catherine Street, kept Manager Simpson at the Park Theatre. presume no person will dispute the by one Mrs. Brooks. They were all ―Having fairly introduced their right to the title of ‗The Original diligent and it did not take long to novelty, and expecting every day to [Minstrel] Bones Player‘ to Francis acquire the scanty versatility necessary meet with opposition, they determined Marion Brower. in those days for a Negro minstrel to upon a trip to England, where rivalry ―For many years Mr. Brower delight his patrons. was out of the question, for a time at confined his professional career to ―The idea was original; but censure least. With George B. Wooldridge at circuses, and, as a clown, was one of might be deserved by crediting the their head, they sailed for Europe and, the most popular that ever donned the origin of it to any one of the number, on arriving at Liverpool, gave two motley. He was a versatile performer and therefore the honor may be concerts there, and went thence to the and possessed undoubted dramatic distributed among the party. Adelphi Theatre, London, where they genius. His Gumbo Cuff, in ‗Oh ―The object of their organization played six weeks in conjunction with Hush!,‘ and his act of ‗Happy Uncle was simply to make up a combination (the late) Professor Anderson, the Tom‘ were as artistic pieces of acting of Negro performances for one night ‗Wizard of the North.‘ as were ever witnessed on any stage, only, for the benefit of Dick Pelham, ―After this engagement, owing to and in all his impersonations his who was then dancing between the some misunderstanding, Richard personal identity was thoroughly pieces at the Chatham Theatre. Their Pelham left the company, and the rest concealed. He possessed a fund of dry rehearsals were sufficiently reorganized in connection with Joe humor, free from any taint of encouraged to satisfy the party that Sweeney, who had then just arrived in vulgarity, which greatly amused his they had indeed found a novelty. that country; and they then traveled auditors. They styled themselves the Virginia through Ireland and Scotland for six ―Mr. Brower married the celebrated Minstrels and made their debut at the (Continued on page 7)

6 (Frank Brower—Continued from page 6) spring of 1843. There, the reception The length mentioned was 12 inches. months, meeting with success. The was mixed, although London crowds Later bones players used other company then disbanded. Such is the showed some enthusiasm. By the end materials and later groups had more history of Negro minstrelsy.‖ of July, the Virginia Minstrels had bones players - as many as six Hans Nathan‘s book, which, by the disbanded. The group reorganized for performing together at a time. way, has more to say about Frank a short time with Joe Sweeney playing People performed minstrel style Brower than any source that I found, the banjo. music before the birth of the Virginia offers another version of the story Brower broke his leg and had to Minstrels, yet it seems a surety that ―The story is told by Whitlock retire from performing. He owned a the addition of Frank Brower and his himself: ―One day I asked Old Dan saloon in Philadelphia until his death. bones defined the early format for the Emmett, who was in New York at the As a bones player, I wanted to minstrel movement and contributed to time, to practice the fiddle and banjo know something about his bones its enormous popularity. with me at his boarding house on playing and thanks to Bob Carlin, Other authors credit their success to Catherine Street. We went down there, here is an article from the Liverpool the following: they were great and when we had practiced two or Mail, May 27, 1843. musicians, dancers and performers, three tunes, Frank Brower called in ―But what shall [we] say of the they called their performance a (by accident). He listened to our castanet player? It is almost in vain to concert, the economic times were ripe music, charmed to the soul. I told him describe the manner in which Mr. for an inexpensive venue, they were to join us with the bones, which he Brower makes this [supply sic] the shrewd managers, and as strange as it did. Presently Dick Pelham came in place of every other instrument sounds today, ―[they were] entirely (also by accident), and looked amazed. necessary to complete a full band. exempt from the vulgarities and other I asked him to procure a Every limb, muscle, feature, and nerve objectionable features which have and make one of the party, and he is brought into operation while he is hitherto characterized Negro went and got one. After practicing for performing–sitting, lolling, standing, extravaganzas.‖ (Note that many a while, we went to the old resort of throwing out the arms, legs, head, and people writing today about the the circus crowd - the ‘Branch,‘ in the tongue, alternately, drawing up the minstrel movement do not mention Bowery - with our instruments, and in extremities, tossing the arms about in bones playing.) Bartlett‘s Billiard-room performed for every direction, at one time giving his As a bones player, I maybe the first time as the Virginia neighbor's head a rapid succession of naturally, want to give the bones more Minstrels.‖ imaginary fatal [lumps/bumps], now credit since it was the new instrument While versions of the story have commencing a serious attack upon his in the group. It also developed into differing details, they agree that own breast, with an apparent view of the heyday period for the bones with something happened that was not quickening the flow of blood through thousands and thousands of people expected. At one time or another, all the arteries, at another time measuring around the world having a set of of the original ‗big four‘ took credit himself, with extraordinary bones. They were inexpensive and you for organizing this first minstrel determination and celerity, for a coat could buy them out of the Sears troupe. One article and two obituaries of unknown magnitude, and repeating Catalog or you could make them for Brower claimed he was the similar movements over the head, yourself from last night‘s rib roast. organizer. He was eight years older under the legs, behind his back, and While most of these people probably and appears to have been the senior below the soles of his feet. While were not good bones players, I bet all partner when he and Dan Emmett indulging in these fierce of them could make clicks. played bones and banjo duets together performances, the , or rather It is clear that the Virginia in the circus. Dan Emmett outlived all a couple of rib bones, inserted Minstrels found a novelty most likely of the others and gets the most credit. between the fingers, sustain a by accident. Good bones player who Emmett also wrote several songs, continuous rattle in correct time with have played before an audience that including the well known Dixie, that the melody.‖ To me that sounds a little has never before heard bones know the made him famous. like Spike Bones (Darryl Muhrer) excited response they receive from The Virginia Minstrels, as the new dancing and playing bones at Bones people hearing this unique instrument blackface troupe was called, honed Fest VII; though to be fair to Brower for the first time. If the hula-hoop their act in a number of New York dancing was a major part of his act. novelty can create a short term performances before premiering their Nathan says, ―When Brower industry, maybe the bones did that for first full-scale "Ethiopian Concert" at ‗trucked‘ around a bit, the clicks of his the early minstrel movement. I must the Masonic Temple in Boston on bones would mingle with the heavy note, however, that Brower and March 7, 1843. thud of his boots. He and Pelham Emmett played bones and banjo duets Almost from the start, the Virginia sometimes burst into breakdowns, as an earlier circus act and that did not Minstrels were a smash hit -- but their usually without ceasing to keep their seem to catch on. So, while it was an run would be short lived. After instruments in motion.‖ important part of the minstrel format, performing to capacity crowds on Brower‘s bones were sawed-off it must not have been the critical item. Broadway, they toured England in the horse ribs that clattered like castanets. (Continued on page 8)

7 name. Could there be a connection? I received help on this article from So when and how did Brower learn the Baltimore and Philadelphia to play the bones? And when was the libraries, Mt. Vernon Library first time he actually played the bones (Emmett‘s home town,) Middle in public? Intriguing questions and Tennessee State University‘s Center answers may lie in Philadelphia, New for Popular Music, Circus World York and Baltimore newspapers Museum and Bob Carlin who has which are not indexed and will require written a book about Joe Sweeney and time-consuming searching. early minstrelsy that is being

(Brower—Continued from page 7) There are other interesting questions for us. What was the state of bones playing during Brower‘s time? Dana Epstein, in her book Sinful Tunes, writes that bones existed during that time in the black community. Did Brower learn to play bones from this community for his Ethiopian routines? Member Russ Myers tells us about a visiting German who gave a bones concert in New York City in 1740. Brower which comes from Brouwer Frank Brower, on the right above. From the Minstrel Poster collection of the Center for Popular Music, (meaning brewer) is a Dutch/German Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro,, Tennessee Rhythm Bones Society 1060 Lower Brow Road Signal Mountain, TN 37377-2910

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