Brooke Johns (né William Brooke Johns, 1893-1987) a successful jazz banjoist, who was already playing and singing in small time when the First World War broke out. He entertained in the Navy during the conflict, then came back to play night clubs, big time and presentation houses. He became one of the top stars of vaudeville and played banjo with the Ziegfield Follies in 1922 and 1923. In 1923, he also formed his own band, which he took on a tour to Britain, playing at the Kit Kat Club with Sophie Tucker and the Alhambra Theatre. For a time during his peak years he was partnered with Ann Pennington. More specifically, back in the US, in 1924 he starred along with Pennington and with his orchestra in the film "Mishandled". He would play a musician one more time in "That Old Gang of Mine (1925). In 1934 he retired (temporarily) to run a restaurant in the Washington DC area. In the 1950's Brooke Johns had his own family entertainment television show on WRC-TV channel 4 in Washington, D.C. Mr. Johns was also involved with the Maryland horse scene, developed the Brooke Manor Country Club (now a housing development). As for this excellent record, it was made in 1924, featuring a vocal by Brooke Johns himself. Surprisingly, despite the credits, this band actually was led by Jack Shilkret (younger brother of the famous composer, conductor and bandleader Nathaniel) had a career that paralleled Nathaniel's: he played clarinet and piano, recorded extensively, and conducted and played piano on the radio and in motion pictures.
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Music