From the MSR Legacy Archives
As part of our celebration over the next several months of our 80 years of continuous publication, the MSR will be republishing notable stories from our extensive archives of more than 4,000 weekly issues of African American news in Minnesota. Many of our readers will be sure to recognize friends, family and neighbors from the distant and not-so-distant past — such as the young band-leader (among many other things) below, as published in the April 23, 1937 edition of the St. Paul Recorder.
A matinee “swing session” is scheduled for Union Hall, Third and Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis, Sunday afternoon, when the Gordon Parks Chicago Savoy Orchestra will make its official bow to Minneapolis and St. Paul dancegoers and music lovers.
The affair will begin at 3 p.m., ending at 9 p.m. and is being presented by Ely N. Martin and Mr. Parks.
The Parks orchestra, according to available reports, is a first class group of young musicians brought here from Chicago and have among its personnel Pat Louis, one of the most sensational trumpet players in the band business.
The popular Florence Ward, radio find, is vocalist with the Parks’ orchestra. A small admission fee of 25 cents per person will be charged, with couples for 40 cents.
This is your first chance to hear Gordon and his new band. Everybody welcome!
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