Music Trade Review

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The Music Trade Review
Tom Carey Joins Staff of
Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo
Weil-Known Banjo Expert to Play a Prominent
Part in the Activities of That Concern—Has
Had Wide Experience
KALAMAZOO, MICH., May 17.—With a view to
bringing about still closer co-operation between
the dealers and the men of experience in fretted
instruments, Gibson, Inc., has added to its staff
another authority in the person of Tom Carey.
During the last few years Mr. Carey has been
devoting his time entirely to manufacturing spe-
Mr. Carey first learned about banjo playing
when he was given an instrument at the age of
eleven, and two years later he became asso-
ciated with a prominent instrument manufac-
turer and while in his employ picked up the
greater portion of his knowledge of banjos and
of playing them, taking lessons from such
prominent artists as Thomas Glynn, E. M. Hall,
Wm. S. Baxter and Parke Hunter. These men
will be remembered as the leaders in their day.
Later Mr. Parke Hunter and Mr. Carey
travelled six years in vaudeville under the name
of Mays & Hunter, playing the leading vaude-
ville houses in England, France, Germany,
South Africa, Autralia and Mexico, the United
States and Canada.
In 1914 Mr. Carey was selected as banjo
soloist at the annual American Guild Concert
of banjoists, mandolinists and guitarists, held at
Providence, R. I. He was called into the service
a short time afterwards, and from that time un-
til 1921 did not appear before the public, but
during the last four years Mr. Carey has been
teaching and playing, as stated before, with
Chicago's leading orchestras and has been one
of KYW's most prominent radio artists.
Mr. Carey took up his work with Gibson,
Inc., May 1, and will make a tour of the various
Gibson accounts and should prove invaluable
in more ways than one to the dealers handling
musical merchandise.
Nicomede Publications in
Strong Demand With Trade
Tom Carey
cial banjos for banjo artists in Chicago, also
devoting much time to teaching the younger
generation the fine points of banjo playing, and
has been serving as soloist with Chicago's lead-
ing dance orchestras, such as Hand's, Pierce's
and Benson's.
BACON
BANJOS
Played by Leading
Musicians and Orchestras
Sold by Representative
Mutic Merchants
BACON BANJO CO., Inc.
GROTON, CONN.
Various Instruction Methods and Music Folios
Issued by Altoona Concern Are Proving Un-
usually Active Sellers
ALTOONA, PA., May 17.—The Nicomede Music
Co., of this city, reports large shipments to
music dealers on its four new publications, Kel-
lar's Trumpet Method, Loar's Violin Method,
Marvel Folio of Trumpet Solos and Monarch
Folio of Violin Solos. Judging from the num-
ber of orders received on these publications
there will be record sales established during
the Spring months by dealers everywhere.
The Nicomede firm also reports that the Mor-
ris Method for the Tenor Banjo continues to
be the leading seller on the market. Souvenir
catalogs describing the entije Nicomede line of
merchandise are being mailed out to dealers by
the thousands, and Joe Nicomede, head of the
house, suggests that dealers not receiving a
copy write to him personally.
The Loar Orchestral Violin Method is said
to be just what the modern violin player needs.
It contains all the latest hints, syncopation,
illustrations, obligatos, harmonics, solos, duets,
fifty jazz rhythms, thirty jazz endings, and such
special effects as organ effect, oboe effect, viola
effect, tumbler effect, ukulele or guitar effect,
speech imitation and bird calls. This book sells
for $1 retail.
Qses
^ M U S I C A L INSTRUMENT?
Manufacturers of m u s i c a l instrument
cases of quality. Veneer, Duck, Leather,
Fibre.
MAY 22, 1926
"Banjo Bill" Bowen to
Be at the Convention
Well-known Player Will Demonstrate the
Lange Line at the Music Industries Meeting
at the Commodore
Among the representatives at the exhibit in
the Commodore during the convention of Wil-
liam L. Lange, the well-known New York manu-
facturer of Paramount, Langstile and Orpheum
bahjos, will be "Banjo Bill" Bowen, a member
of the demonstrating and sales staff of Mr.
Lange. Mr. Bowen represented Mr. Lange at
last year's convention at the Drake Hotel in
Chicago and made a big hit with the dealers,
many of whom are looking forward to hearing
him again in June.
William D. ("Banjo Bill") Bowen has long
been recognized as one of the country's greatest
masters of the five-string and plectrum banjo.
He is one of those born geniuses of music who
bring to their instruments something of the in-
tuitive, something of the extraordinary which
the world recognizes as true art.
Bill Bowen has a beauty and grace of style
unsurpassed by any banjoist living to-day. In
the days when finger style playing had its vogue,
Bowen was a truly great player and one of the
leading authorities and instructors. When later-
day demands brought into prominence the four-
string plectrum banjo and the pick or plectrum
method of playing, this versatile and progres-
sive player quickly acclimated himself to the
new trend and became a pre-eminent plectrum
artist.
To say that Bill Bowen has been brought up
with the banjo is stating a literal truth. As a
mere boy of fifteen, he was a truly great instru-
mentalist. Back in 1897 he was playing before
large audiences and amazing his hearers with
the dexterity and cleverness of his playing.
Later "Banjo Bill" went on a tour with Mark
King, appearing in a sketch called "Dooley and
Son," which was written especially around his
playing. Continuing his career "Banjo Bill"
was associated with Fred Van Eps when these
two artists appeared in concert work together
at the old New York Theatre. Several years
were spent as director of his own orchestra at
the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.
Bowen's plectrum banjo solo, "Nifty Notes,"
published by William L. Lange, New York,
manufacturer of Paramount banjos, has re-
ceived the heartiest praise from players and
listeners alike.
He has also in process of preparation a Plec-
trum Banjo Instruction Book in which he will
pass on to beginners and skilled players alike his
unique mastery of fingering, his intensive knowl-
edge of technique, and the many fine points of
execution and stroking which his years of play-
ing and study have proven the most effective.
Everywhere that banjo music is adaptable
Mr. Bowen has been called upon to demon-
strate his skill—as a soloist—as a director and
player in leading orchestras—in radio broad-
casting and as a recording artist for phono-
graph reproduction. In his latest record, which
is being released by the Okeh Co., Mr. Bowen
displays his skill and grace to excellent advan-
tage. This record (Okeh No. 40553) reproduces
his famous solo, "Nifty Notes," and the popular
number, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World."
A line of moderate
Ukuleles that
_. sight. Four
attractive styles, original and distinctive in design,
Spanish Cedar construction; printed and colored face;
rich mellow tone; absolutely true scale; patent pegs,
and satisfactory finishing coat. Details and samples
upon request.
Here at Lost !
A. H. Balliet Corporation. Allentown, Penna
Gold Medal Strings
for musical instruments
C0.40Cross5t,NewailNi
Gold-plated Steel and
Wound Strings
Gibson Musical String Co.
Be
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