Starke County (Ind.) ; Publicity photographs; Big bands;
This photo is a publicity photograph, popular in the early 1900s. The Black Diamonds were a big band contracted by the Brunswick Recording Company. The Crytal Ball Room where they were contracted in Bass Lake was built c.1925 and was a popular...
Starke County (Ind.) ; Publicity photographs; Big bands;
Female band leaders were not common in the first quarter of the 1900s, but Bobbie Grice and her Brick Tops had a big following nation-wide. A big part of that was her band's musical talent and another part was, of course, the unique fact that they...
Starke County (Ind.) ; Publicity photographs; Big bands;
This poster advertising Dan Russo and his Brunswick Orchestra is just one of the many entertainers who visited Bass Lake at the Crystal Ball Room. Russo and the Orioles were contracted with Brunswick Records Studio. As you can see from the...
Starke County (Ind.) ; Publicity photographs; Big bands; Dance halls;
The Crytal Ball Room, built c.1925 at the south end of Bass Lake, was a popular place through the 1960's. It featured big bands and dancing, roller skating and other events, such as prize fights. Young men bought tickets for 10 cents for the...
Starke County (Ind.) ; Big bands; Publicity photographs;
Don Redman, born in 1900, was an American jazz musician, arranger, and composer. His father was a music teacher and his mother was a singer. He began playing the trumpet at 3 and joined his first band at 6. By age 12 he was proficient on all wind...
Starke County (Ind.) ; Big bands; Publicity photographs;
The 20th century saw the emergence of Ragtime and Jazz dance bands, which evolved into swing and big band ensembles through the l930s. ‘40s, and '50s. Memorable
bands included the Russell Amith Orchestra, Clay Military Band, Reginald Duvalle...
