Abstract

Dorothy Lofton Jones (1936-2018) was a soprano and a founder, artistic director, and costume maker of the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore. She studied at the Peabody Preparatory and with Elaine Bonazzi. In this interview with Elizabeth Schaaf, Jones describes her own musical development and the founding and growth of the Municipal Opera Company.

Abstract Born in Rich Springs, North Carolina, Douglas MacArthur moved to Baltimore's East Side as a teenager. He served in Europe with the U.S. Army 10th Cavalry during World War II. He began his carer as a musician while serving in the military. After returning to Baltimore, he became active with the Musicians' Union local 543 and continued his music education at the Larry London School of Music, majoring in double bass. He was a member of Tracy McCleary's band, the Royal Men of Rhythm, at the...

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Edward Walters (b. 1946) is a clarinetist and conductor who studied at the Peabody Preparatory and Conservatory and taught at the University of Maryland. His sister, Jeannette Walters, was a soprano who studied at the Peabody Conservatory. Interview with Elizabeth Schaaf about Walters's career as a clarinetist and music contractor and his musical training at Peabody.

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Elaine Hassell was a teacher and chorister. Her husband, William J. Hassell, was an organist at the Ames Methodist Church. In this interview with Elizabeth Schaaf, Elaine Hassell discusses William's musical career and the musicians they associated with, including T. Henderson Kerr, W. Llewellyn Wilson, and Alfred Prettyman.

Abstract Elizabeth Day (1920-2012) was a pianist, organist, and music educator. She played with the United Service Organization (USO) entertaining military personnel during World War II. Day studied at the Juilliard School of Music and earned a degree in music theory at what is now Morgan State University. She taught in Baltimore County Public Schools, including Bear Creek Elementary and Sollers Point Senior High. She founded and ran the Betty Day Trio, a musical ensemble that performed at social...

Abstract Interview by Elizabeth Schaaf of Ellis Larkins (1923-2002), a pianist based in Baltimore. Larkins's wife, Crystal Larkins, is also heard during the interview.In 1934 Ellis Larkins made his debut with the Baltimore City Colored Orchestra. Larkins studied classical piano at Douglass High School and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, at a time when African-American students were generally not admitted at Peabody. Larkins also served as an organist at the St. James Episcopal...

Abstract Interview with Ethel Ennis (1932-2019), a Baltimore-based jazz singer. Ennis describes her family's musical influences on her as a young girl and her training in piano with Lovey Husketh. Ennis began performing as a pianist and singer at the age of 15 with a group called Abe Riley's Octet, which performed around Baltimore in the 1940s and early 1950s. She began touring and recording as a singer in the 1950s, working with musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Stephane...

Abstract Lloyd Eugene Prettyman (1908-2006) was a bassist and French horn player for various musical ensembles based in Baltimore. Educated at Douglass High School and New York University, he studied double bass with A. Jack Thomas. While at Douglass, he went on the vaudeville circuit with a group called the Icy Hots, with Hamilton Murray, Frank Trigg, Teddy Plummer, Jimmy Waters, and Avon Long. He played French horn with the Masonic Band and the City Colored Park Band led by his brother, Edward...

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Gwen Nichols (1916-2008) was a music teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools. She studied with W. Llewellyn Wilson at Douglass High School and earned a degree from Coppin State. After retiring in 2002, she opened her own studio and taught privately. In this interview with Elizabeth Schaaf, Nichols discusses her musical training and her teaching career.

Abstract Active as a performer and club owner, Henry Baker (1921-2008) ran a haberdashery on Pennsylvania Avenue that was a meeting place for jazz greats performing at the Royal Theater and the clubs on the Avenue. He also operated jazz clubs: Peyton Place on Pennsylvania Avenue in the 1960s and, later, The Closet on Franklin Street. Reppard Stone (1930-2019) came to Baltimore in 1949 from Macon, Georgia, to study at Morgan College. He became deeply involved with the Baltimore music...