The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
ALL-STAR GIRL
BAND TO SHARE
STAGE AONORs
Mr.. Washington Goes To
Town Makes First
Detroit Run


old Cinderella theme threadbare =
and it really has come true in few
isolated instances-but, the only
lasting recipe for success in the
music world Tor any other business)
is the same old formula, E. hard
work, study. patience, hope and
plenty of CUTS" And Louis Jordan
whose four-year tussle with the
breadline has wound up with the
talented blues shouting saxophonis'
meeting with success as an orches-
ira leader in his own right is no ex-
ception.
Jordan. whose singin'. swingin'
clownin' Tympany Five comes to
the Paradise theatre for a weeks
engagement starting Friday, Dec
IS. began his professional career
during summer vacation while STU
dent at Arkansas Baptist college
as clarinetist and general utility en-
tertainer with the rabbit foot min
strels his salary was SIS per week
and for three summers he travelled
around the country as a Minstrel
man Completing college. Louir
decided his future lay in the must
cal world and headed for New York
where he began chasing that elusive
shadow that is essence of theatrical
fame.
With Chick Webb
For several years Jordan found il
hard making ends meet and was
just about at the end of his rope
when he received an offer to join
the late Chick Webs orchestra.
Establishing himself as a talented
instrumentalist, Jordan was soon
recognized by leading critics and
exponents of modern music as one
of Americas foremost saxophone
and clarinet players and as an un-
usually talented Snowman. After a
long association with Chic Webb,
during which he reached the top
peak available to a feature member
OF any orchestra, Louis decided to
organize a band Of his own.
With his now famous Tynpany
Five, Jordan managed TO keep work.
ing regularly from the time he
started out on his own and on the
strength of being acclaimed star
in his own right succeeded in get
ting a contract to record for Decca
Records. But fame and Louis Jor-
dan were still two separate and dis
tinct things and remained so until
suddenly lady luck beamed down
on the maestro. After four years of
trying to get firm foothold on the
bottom rung Of the ladder to sue
cess with no apparent success, Jor-
dan was booked into a prominent
Chicago club as the alternate fea-
ture with a nationally known har-
mony quartette Although the head
liners were a successful four week
engagement, the Tympany Five was
held over for 80 weeks and began
its sensational skyrocketing into
fame and fortune which comes with
capturing the tickle fancies Of the
entertainment loving public.
Today Jordan and his Tympany
Five are established box office
favorites and find the lime-lieht
growing brighter with every en-
gagement. The band is also Decca's
number one Sepian recording or
chestra and il IS seldom that any Of
its records fall below the half-mil-
lion sales mark. Jordan holds the
record for discs sales Of Knock Me
A. Kiss" and Move to the Out
skirts Of Town" n view OF this.
Jordan has been dubbed king Of
the Waxworks."
All-Star Girl Band
Sharing the stage at the Paradise
will be Eddie Durham and his ALL
Star Girl orchestra. A carload OF
Beauties will displaJ their talents
under the personal direction OF Ed
die Durham. Featured members OF
the Durham's group including the
famous Jean Starr ahG her trumpet;
the Four Durhamettes, sweet and
swing harmonies. Durham will
render solos with his guitar and
trombone.
The screen feature will be the
-ali-NegFe comedy feature, Mr.
Washington Goes To Town. star.
ring those lovable comedians. Man
ton Moreland and F. E. Miller.
There are laughs galore in this
comedy. which is the funniest pic
ture ever produced. Mr.. Washing
ton Goes To Town" is positively the
most amusing picture yet produced
in the Negro field. Beautiful pho
Biography and handsome back
grounds add to the quality OF the
picture, which is full OF snappy
brilliant dialogue and side splitting
situations. written by the famous
comedy writers. Walter Weems and
Lex Neal.
Mr.. Washington Goes To Town is
sidesplitting amu,epent for the en-
tire family. Its cast consists Of
MAINTAIN Moreland, F. E. Miller,
Maceo B. Sheffield, Arthur Ray,
Margaret Wilton, Clarence Moore.
house, Monte Howley. zoreta Step
toe, John Lester johnson, florence
O'Brien, and Vernon McCalla.
Duke Coming Xmas Week
The nations favorite Duke e.
lington and his world famous band
will be the stage attraction Xmas
week. Duke will bring to Detroit an
array OF stage talent including SUCH
favorites as Patterson and Jackson.
Baby Lawrence, Betty Roche, Jig