Andrew Leavitt's Jig

Comment by Sonny Bryan on May 17, 2017 at 9:51pm

Cool tune, Chris...Wonder who was Andrew Leavitt?

Comment by Chris Prieto on May 17, 2017 at 10:54pm

I've pondered myself as he has quite a few tunes. He's mentioned in the monarchs of minstrelsy a few times here's a lil I found about him:

"Andy Leavitt was an unusually intelligent performer, and was the author of several negro farces that were widely used. He was likewise responsible for the song "Ham Fat," that achieved great vogue several years ago. In 1882 and 1889 he played white-face parts with "Joshua Whitcomb" and "Two Sisters" respectively; his stage career ended about this time. About 1891 he secured a position as stage door man at the Hollis Theatre, Boston, which he retained five years. Andy Leavitt was born in Boston, Mass., in 1822; he died there February I, 1901."

I couldn't find a photo and didn't have patience to look thru all of Joel's pictures in the minstrelbanjos hall of fame.

Comment by Sonny Bryan on May 18, 2017 at 7:57am

Humm, interesting......I hope he at least had his banjo with him when he was working the stage door.

Comment by Paul Draper on June 25, 2017 at 6:12am

Somehow I missed this one. Great playing!

Comment by Chris Prieto on June 25, 2017 at 9:12am

Thanks Paul!

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