08001.EN – Pictured here are musicians Thompson Stephenson, unknown, unknown and George Drew on a Charles Town street. The photo was probably taken in the 1930’s. During that time there were quite a few bands in Jefferson County because once a year they had a “Battle of the Bands” event. These men played for funerals, parades, and social events. At times the bands would serenade people in white neighborhoods for donations.
08002.EN – Pictured here is Grandpa Tolbert’s band. This photo was taken sometime in the early 1920’s. James Alvin Tolbert’s grandfather is marching in the band, playing the drums. Exact parade is unknown but it was in the 1920’s. James would later be a graduate of Page Jackson High School in 1953.
08003.EN – Alease Bradford Braxton and Cordel Thornton Bradford are shown here dancing at the Fisherman Hall Lodge located on South West Street in Charles Town. The two dancers would later become sister-in-laws. Various acts throughout the area performed on the Fisherman Hall stage over the years.
08004.EN – One of the organizers of this band was “Bunt” Jackson who is pictured holding the trombone in the front row, on the right. This African-American band performed in Charles Town in the 1920’s. The formation of African-American bands was often dependent on finances. in the case of this band, it could not only afford the instruments but the uniforms as well, which said a lot for their dedication and devotion to music. Bands usually play mainly woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
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If you have any information about any of the above photos, or if you have photos that you would like to add to the archive, please email James Green here.
