Charles "Charlie" White

Charles "Charlie" White

For the entertainer " 'Cool' White" see John Hodges (minstrel)

Charles "Charlie" White (1821–1891), sometimes known as "Charley" White, was an early blackface minstrel entertainer.

Born in June 1821, he was originally noted for playing the accordion.[1] After Daddy Rice popularized blackface with his Jim Crow character White first incorporated some "negro act" with his accordion playing and then founded White's Kitchen Minstrels in New York in the early 1840s, opening at the Melodeon on the Bowery.[2] Whilst there he seems to have employed the famous dancer Master Juba,[3] who apparently toured with his minstrel troupe.

White may also have formed part of the minstrel troupe the Ethiopian Serenaders which first visited London in January 1846.[4]

In 1877 White was the victim of an attempted mugging. Described as "Charles White, the minstrel" and as living at No. 250 Hudson Street, he was attacked while drunk by two young men who tried to make off with his watch and pocketbook, but the theft was prevented by a police officer.[5]

He was largely retired from the stage[6] by 1887, although his obituary in the New York Times says that he had also been engaged to play the role of an elderly black woman in the popular 1890 Broadway musical Reilly and the 400, and that since retirement he had devoted himself to writing reminiscences of his career.

He died of pleuro-pneumonia in New York at his residence, 266 West 36th Street, on January 4, 1891.[7]

References

  1. ^ BROWN, Col. T. Allson, Early History of Negro Minstrelsy
  2. ^ New York Times, May 19, 1907:- 'The Lay of the Last of the Old Minstrels: Interesting Reminiscences of Isaac Odell, Who Was A Burnt Cork Artist Sixty Years Ago':“While we were drawing big crowds to the Palmer House on Chambers Street Charley White was making a great hit playing an accordion in Thalia Hall on Grand Street. In those days accordions were the real attraction to the public. Charley White did a negro act in connection with his accordion playing, but he decided finally to open up with a minstrel troupe, too, so he opened at the Melodeum’’ (sic)’’ on the Bowery with White’s Kitchen Minstrels. The money was flowing in fast to us “(i.e.Christy’s Minstrels) "so we did not mind opposition.”
  3. ^ New York Times, July 10, 1887, 'Drop-Curtain Monographs':"Dick Carroll, (originally Master Marks, a jig dancer who succeeded the negro boy Juba at Charlie White's Melodeon, Bowery, this city..."
  4. ^ The Times, Saturday, Jan 24, 1846; pg. 7; Issue 19142; col D In an advertisement for their opening performance in England the members are listed as "Messrs. German, Stanwood, Harrington, Pell and White".
  5. ^ New York Times, December 21, 1877: 'AN ATTEMPT TO ROB "CHARLIE" WHITE'
  6. ^ New York Times, July 10, 1887, 'Drop-Curtain Monographs':"Charlie White and Bernard long ago shook themselves clear of professional harness..."
  7. ^ New York Times, 5 January 1891: "Death of an old Minstrel"

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Charles P. White — 60th Secretary of State of Indiana Incumbent Assumed office January 6, 2011 Preceded by Todd Rokita Member of the Fishers Town Council …   Wikipedia

  • Charles A. White — For other people named Charles White, see Charles White (disambiguation). Charles A. White (July 7, 1882 October 7, 1925)[citation needed] was an American organized labor lobbyist and politician. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Sarah… …   Wikipedia

  • Charlie White (figure skater) — Charlie White Davis White at the 2008 Four Continents Championships. Personal information Full name Charlie White Country represented …   Wikipedia

  • Charlie White (rugby) — Charlie White Full name Charles J. B. White[1] Date of birth c. 1874[1] Place of birth Maitland, New South Wales …   Wikipedia

  • Charlie White (baseball) — Charlie White Catcher Born: August 12, 1927 Kinston, North Carolina Died: May 26, 1998(1998 05 26) (aged 70) Seatac, Washington Batted: Left …   Wikipedia

  • Charlie White (footballer) — Charles William White (13 January 1889 – 23 July 1925) was an English association footballer who played as an inside forward for Watford. Born in Chesham, White played for Chesham Generals and Chesham Town, and represented the Berkshire and… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles White — Charles or Charlie White may refer to: Sports Charles White (American football) (born 1958), American football player, Heisman Trophy winner Charlie White (association footballer) (1889–1925), English football player for Watford Charlie White… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles White —  Cette page d’homonymie répertorie différentes personnes partageant un même nom. Charles ou Charlie White peut référer à : Charles White (football américain) (né en 1958), joueur de football américain, vainqueur du trophée de Heisman.… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Charlie Grant — fielding a ground ball. Charles Grant (1879–July 1932)[1] was an African American second baseman in negro league baseball. Grant nearly crossed the baseball color line decades before Jackie Robinson when …   Wikipedia

  • Charlie Fern — Born Charlene Fern 1968 Newport, Rhode Island Education University of North Texas (1990) Occupation speechwriter, journalist Family daughter of Col. Albert Fern (ret.) …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”