Music Trade Review

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38
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JULY 17, 1920
IN THE MUSICAL MERCHANDISE DOMAIN—(Continued from page 37)
JAZZ REIGNS IN INDIANAPOLIS
John Barleycorn Succeeded by King Jazz, Says
Indiana Daily Times—Local Dealers Profiting
by Demand for Instruments
Voodoo worship was common in those days,
and it was customary for dancers to work them-
selves into ecstatic frenzies, induced partly by
the syncopated strains of the weird and barba-
rous music from which jazz was evolved. Such
students of Creole history as George W. Cable
and Lafcadio Hearn have described the unmis-
takable' resemblance between jazz and voodoo
music. Voodoo devotees disported themselves
to the jungle tunes until they fell frothing at
the mouth.
It is not surprising then that the elemental
appeal contained in music of the jazz school is
felt by white folk of to-day. New Orleans has
been hearing jazz music time out of memory,
but it started its progress north through Mem-
phis about a dozen years ago. In view of the
emotional origin of jazz it is not surprising that
many cabaret rounders, cut off from their old
playgrounds and their joy waters, are assiduous-
ly studying how to coax intoxicating melody
from the saxophone and its kindred.
Reports from Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee,
St. Paul and other mid-western cities describe
the spread of jazz.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.J July 12.—Family jazz bands
are causing an unusual demand for saxophones
and string instruments and the Indiana Daily
Times attributes this to prohibition. The fol-
lowing story under the heading, "Family Jazz
Steps into Shoes of Booze," appeared in the
newspaper:
Mother shakes a shimmy,
What d'you think o' that?
All the kids are playin' jazz
As daddy balls the jack.
Indianapolis tipplers have turned to playing
saxophones. Family jazz bands are all the rage,
according to Indianapolis music houses.
"It's a new way to keep the boys home nights,"
said A. Sering of the Calrin Music Co. "So
many young jazz bands have sprung up over
the country that saxophones have been bought
off the market almost entirely. We can't get
C melody saxophones in less than ninety days
from manufacturers."
FRANK THIESS INCORPORATES
Prohibition keeps father and boys home nights
and they must have music to brighten up their
The incorporation of the Frank Thiess Co.,
fireside evenings, according to a St. Paul music Newark, N. J., has been announced with a cap-
dealer, and his views are reflected in reports by italization of $125,000. The new company will
Indianapolis music dealers. The squealing vio- engage in the manufacture of musical instru-
lin and the vociferous banjo are almost as ment cases. Its incorporators include Stephen
hard to get as the saxophone.
Dravoozi, John Argolis and Paul Skliki.
A few months ago it was freely predicted that
the exuberant jazz would fade into obscurity
with the jubilee cafe, prognosticators basing their
views on the assumption that a dulling of the
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 12.—Patent No. 1,327,-
aesthetic sense by use of alcohol is essential 157 lias been granted to Robert K. Hardee, Sa-
to the enjoyment of such elemental themes.
vannah, Ga., for the invention of a violin sound
But they erred. Old King Jazz, driven from post. The new sound post is to replace the
his cabaret domain, retaliated by an invasion usual sound post and bass bar. It is said to
of the American home.
provide a means of connection between the top
Musical folk have steadfastly refused to allow and back of the instrument.
the jazz any merit whatever, but Mr. Sering
says the devotees are paying no mind to aca-
SILVER JUBILEE SALE
demic arraignments. "Jazz music may not be ar-
tistic, but only gifted persons can play it well,"
S. A. Pfeiffer, music dealer at 112 West Forty-
said he. In that connection it is recalled that eighth street, New York City, is featuring a
certain unconventional tendencies of Chopin twenty-fifth anniversary sale by disposing of a
caused ridicule of his compositions and that only collection of old master violins and bows. In-
a small coterie of admirers recognized his cluded in the collection is a Joseph Guarnerius,
genius at first. His influence on the best music valued at $8,000.
of to-day is undoubted. The saxophone provides
the only new element in modern jazz music.
OPENS IN SAN FRANCISCO
The screaming reed instruments, the weird
J. F. Brackett has established the Harmony
violin effect and the flaring trombone flights of
the jazz are old, very old. The same effects Shop, 1557 Haight street, San Francisco, Cal.
were produced with different instruments by Mr. Brackett expects to include a line of musi-
the orchestras of Coirgo Square, New Orleans, cal merchandise.
for the slave dances a century ago.
PATENT FOR NEW SOUND POST
VIOLIN SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT
BEST STRINGS
JOHNFRIEDRICH&BRO
RUNQ
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 12.—Patent No. 1,-
332,621 for a violin attachment has just been
granted to Robert C. Ganiere, Los Angeles, Cal.,
the object being to make a supporting attach-
ment for violins, and the invention consists also
of other novel features.
The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Co., Kalamazoo,
Mich., has announced an increase of capitaliza-
tion from $100,00 to $300,000.
OLIVER DITSON CO.
BOSTON. MASS.
T H E OLDEST AND
LARGEST MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
IN AMERICA
Manufacturers
Importer* and Jobb«n •*
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
Modern Service
Victor Distributors
ESTABLISHED 1834
OPTIMISM IN SMALL GOODS TRADE
Increasing Production Will Relieve Present
Pressure of Orders From All Sides—Trade
Suffers From Material and Labor Shortage
"How's business?" "Well, if it were any bet-
ter I'd have to close up shop," declared a rep-
resentative musical merchandise manufacturer
to The Review last week.
"1 mean by that," he continued, "the more
orders 1 get the worse off I am. The jobber
and the public keep on clamoring for goods,
but we can't supply them."
The statement is 1 a typical one and represents
the condition of the trade to-day in and about
New York City.
The story is the same
throughout the trade, large dealer as well as
small dealer. Raw materials cannot be ob-
tained for love or money and orders continue to
go begging. The foreign market is at a stand-
still. American manufacturers of raw materials
used in the industry arc unable to offer relief
because of labor difficulties and other troubles.
The musical merchandise industry is suffer-
ing also from labor scarcity. Labor is treated
well but is hard to obtain. Good pay is the
rule and raises are frequent. A prominent
Brooklyn manufacturer who makes a practice
of ''beating the help to it" and giving a raise
before it is asked has given no less than six
raises in a year.
Recently the express embargoes, poor ship-
ping conditions and bad weather have hampered
trade. Shipping conditions have lately become
improved and with the advent of Spring the
weather is certain to be more favorable.
The good old law of supply and demand is a
much-abused one in the small goods industry.
The supply of instruments and accessories
diminishes with each setting sun, but the demand
grows. A C-melody saxophone is more difficult
to obtain than a six o'clock subway seat.
Xylophones and other instruments necessary
to the proper treatment of jazz music are also
scarce.
The consensus of opinion among the leading
houses seems to be that the present state of
affairs cannot last. Importation on a larger
scale from Germany and France is not far off,
and production in this country should soon
show a marked increase. Optimism is the key-
note of the 1920 campaign of the larger houses.
KAUFMANN'S HAS NEW BAND DEPT.
The band instrument department of Kauf-
mann's Department Store, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
opened last week. The new department is
under the management of Charles A. Caputo.
Mr, Caputo is leader of Caputo's Band, a well-
known Pittsburgh concert band, and is also
an expert on band instruments. The Caputo
Band has been engaged for a scries of Satur-
day and Sunday concerts throughout the Sum-
mer at Wildwood Park.
The Forbes-Meagher Music Co., 27 West Main
street, Pittsburgh, Pa., announces an increase in
capitalization from $15,000 to $30,000. J. E.
Meagher is president and J. H. Forbes secretary-
treasurer of the company.
Black Diamond
Strings
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J.