Subject: BS: Frank Kinney-Who he?
From:
Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 06:58 AM
I've just been reading for the first time, a previously (to me) unknown P.G.Wodehouse "The Girl on the Boat". The leading character visits a house containing an Orchestrion which is probably thisA mechanical musical instrument, automatically played by means of revolving cylinders, invented in 1851 by F. T. Kaufmann of Dresden. It comprises a complete wind orchestra, with the addition of kettle-drums, side drums, cymbals and triangle, although modern jazz guitarist Pat Metheny now uses the name for his computer-based band.
However, the character also "blacks up" with burnt cork for a shipboard concert to impersonate an ? entertainer ? called Frank Kinney. Lots of FKs on the web but I've not seen one that would fit the period (during Prohibition). Was there one of that name who was a Bojangles type or a fake, blacked-up-white Jolson type?
RtS
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sj
