The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1943-04-24
my FRIENDS"
BY FLOYD SNELSON
VALADIA SNOW TRIUMPHS-

~40A@OAA 0ISW 4 w y w I'D
NEW YORK CITY-The stage
of the Apollo Theatre, 125th
Street, gave to the theatre-go-
erS one of the most interesting
characters of recent mention, in
the person of the Information
ally famous Valaida Snow. This
talented performer has circled
the globe many times and her
artistry is known around the
world, in every country and
sung with praise in every langu-
age and tongue.
Leading the band Valaida
demonstrates her musical gen
Jus and unique versatility with
the Sunset Royal Orchestra and
brings to memory her former
Broadway successes with Lew
LeslieS Blackbirds.
IN CONCENTRATION CAMP
% MONTHS
Valaida sailed from New York
to Paris on her last voyage in
1889 for six weeks engagement
after which she toured Europe
for three years. When the
Nazis invaded Holland she was
lucky to escape to Denmark.
There she had a long contract
at a famous cafe and when the
Nazis came she was unable to
leave and was placed in Con-
centration Camp, the only col
ored American confined along
with others from this country.
During her year and 8 months
incarceration she was subjected
to all manner of outrageous
brutalitieS-15 lashes every day,
and today her body bears many
scars and defacements. Fed
plain boiled potatoes her life
was barely saved.
She finally was exchanged in
the first draft of war prisoners
for the German manicurist of
the SIS. Bremen, Ann Hoffman,
noted Nazis spy. When Valaida
was brought to the Gestapo
headquarters in Copenhagen for
her release, all of her personal
belongings were piled in a heap.
including her trunk with a
mink coat and other valuables.
Her gold plated trumpet, $4,000
in American money and $4,000
in Danish currency, all were
conflScated by the Germans. In
return she was given Just
enough clothing for a change, a
cheap cloth coat she had never
seen before. She was flown to
the airport at Lisbon, Portugal
under guards of the Nazis Ges-
tapo; where she was put aboard
the Swedish S. S. Gripsohlm
bound for New York. She ar
rived in Jersey City a total
nervous wreck with only 20 cents
in her purse, and weighing 76
pounds, nearly half her original,
suffering terribly from NAHUM
triton and constant exposure to
disease and servility.
Arriving in Harlem she was
taken in the arms of a friend,
Jack Carter, her original man
ager and benefactor, noted
drummer and orchestra leader
who is now proprietor of a bar
and grill at 1890 Seventh Avenue
bearing his name. Mr.. Carter
placed her in a private Sani-
tarium in N. Y. state and during
the past six months she has
undergone the best medical
care. She is again almost near
her normal self, and this being
her first stage appearance since
her return to her native land
her many friends in and out of
the profession extend her every
good wish for success and hap
piness. Mr.. Carter, under whose
management she is being direct
ed, plans a nationwide tour for
Valaida, and we are sure that
her many friends all over the
country will give her a grand
reception.
Postscript: For the benefit
Of those who may not know the
vivaciouS Valaida Snow +
have had the pleasure of seeing
every Sepia stage star that the
race has produced during the
past century and Lam sure that
my guess is accurate when
say that valaida is one of the
most brilliant artists the sage
has given us. She is an accom-
plished singer, pianist, trumpet
eer, dancer and keeps an audi