The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-08-06


keep on his job" but was inclined
to slackness in punctuality and even
undependability so far as regularity
was concerned. There vas ten
dency to swagger around, holding
the idea that he was an indispensa-
BILE adjunct In that particular sphere.
OF course, that was a false idea
No man Is indispensable who can
not be depended upon. Much of the
value attached to a mans service
Is in his failthfulness and sincere.
ty. II Is said that in some cases men
belonging to certain orchestras were
not amenable to discipline. 1t is re-
ported that in the case of an or
chestra employed in most exclu-
siye place. of entertainment that even
requests of the employing manage
ment that certain men, whose work
was not satisfactory, be replaced
with others were not complied with
by the orchestra manager because
he could not control or discipline
his players.
The shortsightedness of the play
ers is emphasized by the present
conditions. 1t also emphasizes a
lack on part of the managers, be-
cause unless in possession of suf-
fictent forcefulness and strength to
enforce ordinary dicipline man has
no place as a leader of men.
Another reason given is that the
player developed big bump of eg-
otistic self appreciation. The recog-
milton given the player and mu-
stefan was often mistaken for a
tribute to the man. In many cases
there was not the mentality among
the Negro musicians which would
have kept their feet on the ground
and prevented many grievous mis-
takes along social lines There would
nave been no mistaking liberty for
license, with its attendant ill-con-
sequences, resulting in the closing
of doors to the artist because his
actions as a man were not agree
able.
The style of music originated by
the Negro player has been copied
and adopted by the players of other
races and gradually the other
fellows more serious conception of
the value of improving an endeavor
has put them in the forefront. If
the Negro musician had kept pace
with the times, if his development
had followed his opportunity, it fol-
lows that he would today be occu-
pying broader and more useful
field of endeavor. The restriction
of his opportunity and the curtail-
ment of his effort is the natural
result of his own wilful neglect and
shortcoming.
Why should a group of players
from California or Chicago or De
troit come to New York and be Civ
en- opportunities denied the home
players? Simply because they sup
ply a need, fill a vacancy-and the
need nor vacancy would exist If
there had not been a lack of vision
somewhere. 1t doesn't matter that
the visiting players have no more
developed technique or musncal
knowledge that the home players.
They are giving satisfaction
1t is no argument to say that one
is as proficient as another unless
that proficiency is demonstrated in
performance. To- be capable of
certain degree of excellence on every
occasion, is in itself a duty owed
not alone to the public but to ones
self as we'll If Dabneys orches-
ira should not be reengaged for
ziegfield Roof it will indicate in the
most unmistable manner that Dab
ney and his men have not main
tanned the pace. 1t does not follow
that they are deficient in ability.
but 1t does mean in some way they
have not always developed that
ability to its fullest extent.
Frequenters at the Lafayette The
atre have commented at times on the
excellence of the orchestral perfor-
nance. And there have been oc-
casions when equal or greater en-
phasis has been put into adverse
comment on renditions by the same
aggregation. 1t meant, not a low
ering of ability, but lowered mo-
rale-temporary, perhaps, but pre-
venting the putting forth of best
efforts.
There must be consistent and ear
nest effort on part .of the Negro
before he can hope to re-
gain his former standing asa factor
in the entertainment world. 1t is
hard lesson he must learn and it
may be that the Negro musician will
be out back in his classes a num-
Der of times before he demonstrates
to the satisfaction of his teacher
the employing public that the lesson
is well learned.