Minstrel Sax?

[Scott Miller]

This is a little off-topic, but can anyone cite examples of saxophones in minstrel shows?

A researcher from Yale University is doing a report on the subject and would love to see images or talk with you about possible resources. He is specifically seeking images, photos, cartoons, programs, articles or personnel lists that depict the saxaphone and minstrelsy.

I recently posted this question on the Black Banjo YahooGroups forum and got a few leads, but still no concrete examples.

Let me know if you can cite resources or would like to see results of the study.

 

Regards,

 

Scott Miller

Saint Louis, Missouri

[Ian Bell]

I suspect that they wouldn't have had a place in the early five-string banjo/fiddle  driven groups of the "first wave" of minstrel ensembles. But later in the century some of the troupes travelled with pretty big bands. I'll post a shot of a poster for The Original Georgia Minstrels.

 

Here's an interesting story that also suggests the answer could be yes, at least towards the end of  the 19th century  -  These guys were in Lindsay Ontario - northeast of Toronto. http://www.studiospace.com/rcsq/6bbhistory.htm

[Scott Miller]

Ian,

 

Thank you for the Brown Bros link! Looking forward to seeing The Orig Ga. Minstrels poster.

[Ian Bell]

Here's a link to that poster that will give you a closer look that the one I posted

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2698571703_ae7737a30e_o.jpg

[Scott Miller]

Thank you for posting the link, Ian.

Is this the image you meant to show? Bones and Tambo are clear enough, but  not sure I can spot a sax.

Ian Bell said:

Here's a link to that poster that will give you a closer look that the one I posted

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2698571703_ae7737a30e_o.jpg

[Ian Bell]

I'm looking at the guy who's third from the right in the line of musicians. He's in between two cornet players - so he's in the horn section. It's admittedly pretty sketchy, but I can't imagine what else the artist might be trying to represent. Anyone else have an opinion?

[Ian Bell]

Lots of great minstrel show playbills and photos (including some latter-day ones with saxophones) at this entertaining website. "Sideshow World" (need we say more?)  Highly recommended.  http://www.sideshowworld.com/MinstrelShows.html

[Scott Miller]

I was thinking he might be a sax player too (or something).

[Scott Miller]

Great stuff here - thank you!


Ian Bell said:

Lots of great minstrel show playbills and photos (including some latter-day ones with saxophones) at this entertaining website. "Sideshow World" (need we say more?)  Highly recommended.  http://www.sideshowworld.com/MinstrelShows.html

[bryan kendall]

Thank for al the useful and wonderful information - to all.

 

Mr. Ian Bell, could I get a good hi res image of The Original Georgia Minstrels? I can forward my e-mail address. I would appreciate it.

 

Thsnk you.

 

bryan kendall

[bryan kendall]

What year is this poster of The Original Georgia Minstrels?

[Ian Bell]

I just pulled it off the net - from the site Iinked to.

bryan kendall said:

Thank for al the useful and wonderful information - to all.

 

Mr. Ian Bell, could I get a good hi res image of The Original Georgia Minstrels? I can forward my e-mail address. I would appreciate it.

 

Thsnk you.

 

bryan kendall

[Ian Bell]

I'd guess it was from the 1880s or 90s but that's only a guess.

bryan kendall said:

What year is this poster of The Original Georgia Minstrels?