Category Archives: Music

Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Jukebox Hits

Posted on November 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Nov. 27, 1947: This week, we have two holiday songs: “Merry Christmas, Baby,” by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, and “How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around,” by Jimmy Witherspoon.

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Nov. 20, 1947: Contralto Carol Brice to Perform in L.A.

Posted on November 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

  “On Ma Journey,” performed by Carol Brice, accompanied by her brother Jonathan. Nov. 20, 1947: Carol Brice will perform at Philharmonic Auditorium. Here are a few of her recordings.

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Black L.A. 1947: Little Miss Cornshucks; St. Paul Baptist Church Plans a New Building

Posted on November 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Nov. 13, 1947: Little Miss Cornshucks is at the Last Word, 4206 Central Ave. The Last Word opened in July 1947 and seems to have closed in 1951. Or at least it was no longer advertising in the Sentinel. On … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: The Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on November 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

“Since I fell for You” by Annie Laurie leads the Sentinel’s Juke Box Hits.

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Nov. 5, 1907: Bride Travels From Scotland to Marry Fiance Seeking Better Life in L.A.

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 5, 1907 Los Angeles John Richie led the bass section of the choir at St. Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, while Testristina Adams was a contralto. They sang in the choir … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on October 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 30, 1947: Leading the juke box hits this week: Louis Jordan’s “Early in the Morning,” T-Bone Walker’s “I Know Your Wig Is Gone” and “Look Out” by Louis Jordan.

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October 29, 1907: ‘Oh, God, The Bassoon!’ Musicians Union Dispute Becomes Operatic

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. October 29, 1907 Los Angeles Given The Times’ view of unions, it’s a little difficult to determine precisely what went wrong with a production of Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon” at the Auditorium, but … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Idaho’s Singing Cowboy Senator, a Future Toupee Tycoon, Saddles Up for Cross-Country Ride

Posted on October 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Sen. Glen H. Taylor (D-Idaho) gave up his cross-country trip after three days, arriving in Phoenix by car with the admission that “he bit off … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Spike Jones at Philharmonic Auditorium

Posted on October 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. BY EDWIN SCHALLERT Hitting the bull’s-eye squarely in the center with the title of his show, which he calls “Musical Depreciation Revue,” Spike Jones last night … Continue reading →

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Oct. 14, 1897: ‘La Boheme’ Receives American Premiere in Los Angeles

Posted on October 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

    Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. San Francisco has long claimed the first American performance of Puccini’s “La Boheme” in March 1898 and is given credit for that distinction in … Continue reading →

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Sept. 26, 1907: Disharmony for Conductor of Long Beach Band

Posted on September 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 26, 1907 Long Beach Marco Vessella, conductor of Long Beach’s Royal Italian Band, has had nothing but trouble with Special Officer W.D. Cason after firing him from his job as ticket … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on September 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sept. 25, 1947: The Sentinel’s juke box hits of the week. On the jump:  “Thrill Me” by Roy Milton and “Money Hustlin’ Woman” by Amos Milburn.

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Black L.A. 1947: Herb Jeffries Cast in All-Black Production of ‘Camille’

Posted on September 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1947: The Sentinel reports the intriguing production of an all-black, musical version of “Camille,” produced by Thomas Hammond with a score by Serge Walter, lyrics by Rene Du Plessis, starring Herb Jeffries.  A previous commitment prevented Lena Horne … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: The Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on September 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

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Sept. 17:1907: L.A. Celebrates Mexican Independence Day

Posted on September 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 17, 1907 Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day was celebrated in a grand program sponsored by the Club Porfiro Diaz of Los Angeles at Turner Hall, 325 S. Main (demolished 1951), which … Continue reading →

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Sept. 11, 1947: Al Jarvis Replies to L.A. Sentinel’s Charges of Racism

Posted on September 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

“Boogie-Woogie Blue Plate” is No. 2on this week’s juke box hits. Sept. 11, 1947: KLAC disc jockey Al Jarvis replies to Earl Griffin’s criticisms in last week’s Sentinel. “To knowingly plug a sponsor who discriminates against the Negro race is … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Some Static for Al Jarvis, Radio’s ‘Great White Father’ of Black Musicians,

Posted on September 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1947: Earl Griffin gives some hard shots to disc jockey Al Jarvis of KLAC-AM (570, in case you’re Atwater Kent is working). Jarvis was credited with using black artists on his radio show as early as 1933, but … Continue reading →

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Aug. 28, 1947: Margaret Harris Debuts in Piano Recital at Age 3

Posted on August 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 28, 1947: At the age of 3, Margaret Rosezarian Harris was splashed across the front page of the Sentinel, which covered her concert of classical pieces at Chicago’s Carey AME Temple. “She was poised and showed no trace of … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: The Kappa Alpha Psis, Clora Bryant and a Certain Attorney

Posted on August 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Technical difficulties delayed posting until now. Aug. 28, 1947: Earl Griffin has little good to say about the recent Kappa convention. But he mentions Clora Bryant (a footnote in the Black Dahlia case) though as Clara Bryant. And there’s a … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Nellie Lutcher Leads Weekly Juke Box Hits

Posted on August 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 21, 1947: Nellie Lutcher’s “He’s a Real Gone Guy” again leads the weekly juke box hits, followed by “I Want to Be Loved” in versions by Savannah Churchill and Lionel Hampton.  No. 3 is “Sure Had a Wonderful Time” … Continue reading →

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