Evening star., 1936-12-05
PULEOBAND TOAD
IN TOY CAMPAIGN.
Harmonica Champion to Or
qanize Boys for Broad
cast Next Week.

Johnny Puleo, worlds champion
harmonica player, returned yesterday
from tour OF Europe and Immediately
announced his intention Of organic
ing the largest boys harmonica band
in the world to be placed at the dis
posal Of The Star Warner Bros.-N. B.
c. Christmas toy campaign.
So. all boy harmonica players in
Washington are invited to get in touch
With Johnny Puleo at his home. 1925
North Capitol street-telephone North
o062-J-and be taught by the greatest
harmonica player that ever graced the
stage. Johnny is going to devote three
days Of his time to the perfection Of
band that will be featured in the floor
show at the Raleigh In the pell NELL
room next Wednesday night, and on a
broadcast over Station WRC at 1880
the same night.
As his guest in Washington, Johnny
Puleo has the song-writer, Leo Dia-
mond, who is q member also Of the
celebrated Borrah Minevitch's "Ras-
calls" Of which Johnny is the featured
comedian. Leo Diamond will direct the
band that Johnny Puleo hopes to as
semble. Also featured on the program
will be Josephine Puleo, Johnnys
comely sister, who made her radio
debut last year on WRC when The
Star toy campaign first joined forces
with the National Broadcasting Co.
Miss Puleo, 4 blues singer. will do 4
special number now being arranged for
her by Leo Diamond, who will accom-
pany her on the piano.
Played Before Edward VIII.
In London this season Johnny Puleo
and his pal, Leo Diamond, played .
two and q half hour concert at
Queens Hall with the Rascals. 1t was
the longest harmonica band concert
ever given in England. The troupe
played at the Palladium, that old vau-
deville house on Piccadilly Circus, but
best Of all they were featured at the
Cafe de Paris when the present King
of England, Edward VIII, was Prince
of Wales. At that time these boys had
the honor of playing before the pres
ent King and his American-born
Aiend. Wallis Warfield Simpson.
Johnny claims she Is one OF the
most beautiful women in the world.
a while we were in England" Johnny
.Puleo went on, "only those In high So
,ciety circles, and some Of the night
tlub habitues, knew about the royal
romance. The papers printed nothing
1bout it. So the man on the street was
An total ignorance. Naturally, those
Eho frequented the Cafe de Paris
where the then Prince of Wales visited
every night had an inkling that ro-
nance was In the air. No one, how
ever. was prepared for the present
crisis"
Visits Parents Here.
While in Washington. Johnny Puleo
Is visiting with his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles C. Puleo. at their North
Capitol street home 1t Is the plan OF
Fuleo to assemble his first batch OF
boys Monday night at a place later to
be announced-and then teach them
one Of his favorite numbers, THE
Bolero." He will rehearse them again
on Tuesday and wednesday.
Johnny hopes to choose about 81
boys from those who wish to have first
hand instruction-and to play with
them as part Of the band. Also as
soloist. They will broadcast Wednes-
day night.
Now is the time to get on the band
wagon" Johnny said last night. "and
/ hope all the boys in Washington who
want to put the finishing touches to
the art Of harmonica playing will give
me q ring-at North 0062-J."
When last here. q year ago, Johnny
organized the North Capitol Street
Harmonica Band, Of nine pieces. He
will use this as the nucleus Of hia
organization.
Today Johnny will call on Superin-
tendent Of Police Brown In the hope
OF enlisting the Police Boys Band as
part OF the mammoth orga aniza tion
planned for participation in the toy
campaign.