The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-11
Stage
the
UMPN 1--WE
by ulysses boykin


:. American fashion. They went to pcncs, danced,
ma went to the movies took in floor shows and horse
~. and packed the taverns. And for double
20 some went to work usual. Every one felt very
+nnate to be citizens of country where Democracy
rreached. They are also looking forward to seeing
mt into practice someday, too Now they are ready TO
Itch in and carry on as usual.
From the column Heard and Overheard" of July
ssue of PM we noted that the first Negro musicians
rcd bv NBC for the staff WEAF-WJZ orchestras are
I'M TAYLOR bass fiddler and Bill Dillard trumpet Both
l. rated BY swing experts among the best in their
dds both were recommended to NBC by John Ham,
od whose popular music magazine, Music and Rhythm
aged successful campaign to end network discrmina
on against coored musicians.
Taylor and billiard, now in their second week
with NBC, each $120 week, the regular net
work musician scale set by Local 802, New York
musicians local.
In their week with WEAF and NBC, the two
musicians have appeared ON such programs as Daily
Dozn, Jam Before Breakfast, Prescott Presents,
Midday Melodies and The Army Hour
Billy Taylor, IS, was born in Washington, went
through high school and started on music when he
played peck horn," Junior edition of the French
horn. It's called 'peck horn" because its choppy
help set the rhythm for brass bands.
Taylor is sef-taught musician, going from the
ck horn to the trombone to the tuba and then bass
Ne first emerged musician of standing with Detroit's
cKnneys Cotton Pckers, the first bigtime all Negro
AS Cotton Picker Taylor earned truly rare
Equation of the greatest of tuba players known
pr smooth legato and perfect inonation an instru-
bent that usually just goes "Oompah" He's worked for
Zoe Sullivan at Cafe Society Fats Waller. and, for six
|ears with the great Negro master, Duke Ellington.
Taylor has four children, Billy Junior 16; Charles
Buddy, -; Beatrice, and Camille, d. Billy Jr. IS
kng his fathers footsteps and is already playing the
|a@ professionally.
Trumpeter Bill billiard is 81, has three children,
Bill Jr., ID; Vincent, and Pierre 20 months. He
was born in Philadelphia, took private music since
he was Is. He has worked with Teddy Hill, Lucky
Mllnder Dickie Wells, who's now with Count Basic
and Dave Martin.
AS musician, billiard is a first trumpet mantle
leader Of the trumpet section, who carries the mel
ody-and i: priced by leaders for golden, smooth
Tone He also doubles vocalist (bartone) and for
some has been taking singing lessons from Car
men Reuben (white).
On the side, billiard is champion swimmer and re-
emily took third place in Harlem perfect physique
Both Taylor and billiard have recorded in France
or Hugh Panassie noted French jazz expert They were
M win mountainous piles of francs 1900 500 for each
1T wasn't much" grins Taylor "but it sure felt like
Democracy Is Beginning To Click"
Count Basic has been awarded the degree of
P Roc OF sw,nsolosy at Harvard Three years
Roy Edridge's name up for consideration to be
named Tor the degree of doctor of and the school
faculty forbade the freshman class of az award
Lidridge the degree" But this year they agreed
that it all solid to give the Count the honor The
reason for the hold up the Eldridge degree be-
cause they thought that it would bring undesirable
publicity for the school. Now it's OK.
Floyd Smith, Andy Kinks guitarist is now full
me soldier at Fort Dix Nd Lionel Hampton joins the
anos with four trumpets adding Joe Wilder from Les
"es band Wilder specialzes in growl sylings of the
ooie Williams slant
Producer Margaret Watkins has left the Congo.
ne urand Terrace in Chicago has closed and Producer
euoy Blackmon is back in Cleveland at Masons Farm