[ Paul Sherman Orch. ], (Studio Orch) (40's)
Currently no information available. (20's)

      [ The Shorter Brothers Band ]
Another of the early Black Bands that toured Canada. Around 1930, an American drummer named Johnson brought a band to Montreal. The band consisted of his three sons, - Benny, Henry and Frank, and three other brothers (from Pittsburg), - Andy, Bill, and Arnold Shorter. Jimmy Jones, a trumpeter, was the eighth member of the band. The band was called the 'Shorter Brothers' Band' because it was fronted by Andy Shorter on stage. The band broke apart shortly after arriving in Montreal because six of the eight men preferred to remain in Montreal rather than touring. So, Andy and Bill Shorter, as well as Frank Johnson, were to spend their career in Montreal.

      [ The Silvertone Seven ], (20's)
Currently no information available. (20's)

      [ George Sims Orch ], (30's)
In the summer of 1932, this orchestra was playing a resort in Lakefield, Ont. The trombonist at that time was a young Murray McEachern, who, four years later, became a star with the Benny Goodman band.

      [ The Syncopators ], (1920s - '30s)
Here's a photograph of a band from Saint Thomas, Ontario, called The Syncopators, who played in the 1920s and early '30s. In this Photo, Monty Johnson is on the extreme right hand side. (who, word of mouth reports, played with Romanelli, in Toronto - now and then). It is probably that Harold Hopkins is the other Saxist. Another member of the band was Cy (Cyril) Squance, but it is not now recalled just which instrument he played. Other instruments in the Syncopators included trombone, brass bass, trumpet, bano/guitar, sax, (as,ts,bs) clarinet, vocals (through megaphone), and a pianist named "Spunky". In the Photograph, that "round hole" between the Trombonist and the Trumpet is probably the mouth of their Megaphone.
Connie Pangman graciously contributed this entry on The Syncopators.

      [ Jack Slatter & his Orch ], (30's)
A popular 1930's orch.

      [ Lou Snider Orch. ]
Lou was musical director (Piano player) at Channel 11 in Hamilton. The band played at Mart Kenney's Ranch and other places.
Thanks to Mr Jack Fortin (trumpet with the band) for this information.

      [ Myron Sutton and the Canadian Ambassadors
b. 1903, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
d. June 17, 1981, Niagara Falls, Ont. CA.
Here's a picture of The Canadian Ambassadors, and leader Myron, whose father was a factory worker; mother was a housewife. "Mynie" was their only child. His parents sent him to a local church organist who taught him piano. He was only 13 years old when the ODJB cut their first record, which inspired him to learn the clarinet and saxophone. He began lessons when he was 17. While in high school, he played the clarinet in a local concert band as well as playing in funeral procession bands. He also worked on Lake Erie cruise ships that sailed out of Buffalo, N.Y. When he was just 20 years old, he quit school and joined the Joe Stewart Orchestra in Buffalo, NY.

Two years later, he left Stewart and joined a popular Buffalo (NY) band, - Eugene Primus's Birds of Paradise. This all-black group had a young trombonist named J. C. Higginbotham. After just a few months, Higginbotham left the Primus band and joined the Royal Ambassadors, then touring Ontario, and was later joined by his friend Mynie. The Ambassadors were touring Ontario in the summer, and playing Buffalo during the winters. Sutton stayed with the band for 2 or 3 years on this schedule. During one summer break, Sutton and trumpeter Ted Brock took a trip to Montreal, - just looking around. Their account of the trip wasn't wasted on their fellow sidemen. Just a few years later, Andy and Bill Shorter wended their way to Montreal, remaining there for the rest of their lives. The Royal Ambassadors did have a very successful run at the famous Gatineau Country Club, across the river from Ottawa. The management wanted to extend their stay but Canadian immigration refused to extend their visas. The Ambassadors disbanded in 1930, and Sutton returned to Niagara Falls alone.

Then, working with Canadian Immigration, Sutton put together a band with both American and Canadian musicians. The original band consisted of three saxes using Sutton on alto sax, Lloyd Duncan on tenor, and another (unknown) sax. Clyde Duncan was on banjo and guitar and Dave Burroughs was on trumpet. The rhythm section had Terry Hooper on drums. John Walden was on piano. The band, practicing together in Guelph, first used 'stocks' arrangements, but soon was using material arranged by Sutton himself. They debuted on Dec. 26, 1931 at the Gatineau Country Club, using the "Canadian Ambassadors" name. For some reason, the Gatineau managers did not approve of Walden's piano playing and he was replaced by Brad Moxley within just a few weeks of the band's opening. The engagement was very successfful, and the band was also were heard on radio from the club; one night a week.

This lasted for about one year following which Sutton was able to get the band booked into a Montreal club then called 'Connie's Inn', formerly called the 'Frolics' (which had been hosted by Texas Guinan - "Hello Suckers"). The band opened on May 1933 and had a very successful nine month run establishing themselves as the leading Black band in Montreal. It was the comaraderie of the sidemen that kept this band together for 6 years, throughout the severe economic Depression of the 1930's.

After the 9 month stay at the Gatineau, the band went into the Hollywood Club for 15 months, ending in June 1935. Now, deep into the Depression years, gigs became very difficult to obtain. Sutton reduced the band to six men, and began touring the provinces with a series of One Nighters, playing dance halls, schools, pavillions, and community halls. During the later years of the Depression, the band was unable to find work as a unit, and many of the sidemen were forced to freelance, with Sutton himself, often working for other leaders. During this time, he found some employment as the house band at the Terminal Club. Using just 4 or 5 musicians, he called the band "Mynie Sutton's Swingsters" or just the "Mynie Sutton Orchestra".

Following this 22 month stay at the Terminal, the Canadian Ambassadors opened at an East End club called 'Montmartre'. The six man band now had a young saxophonist name Harold "Steep" Wade. (Three months later, Clyde Duncan returned as the bassist.) For this job, Sutton composed a jumping little riff tune that he called "Moanin' At The Montmartre". This engagement lasted until the summer of 1938, when the management decided to switch from a 'Black' to White band policy.

In September 1938, the Ambassadors were booked into Toronto's Silver Slipper club for one month only (due to union problems). Following this, they were booked into Montreal's Connie's Inn for a few months, before Connie's, too, instituted a 'White' band policy. Following this, Sutton often worked as a sideman with other bands, and occasionally with a small group out of his Canadian Ambassadors.

Very discouraged, Myron decided to return to his home in Niagara Falls, Ont. when, in 1941, he received bookings for three Jazz concerts at Victoria Hall (Westmount), which were all very successful.

At the close of these concerts, Sutton was very discouraged and in a very pessimistic frame of mind. He became convinced that he would never again lead a band. With these feelings, he gave all of the Canadian Ambassadors' music to George Sealey, who had been with him at the Victoria Halls concerts, together with his clarinet. After which, in 1941, at age 37, he boarded a train for his home, fully retired from music.

With just 11 years of high school, jobs were somewhat hard to find. He found work as a factory time-keeper briefly, then settled in as a railroad track welder at a local factory, remaining there for 29 years. But of course, it was hard for him to completely forget music. He formed an eleven piece band - all white except for Sutton - that would play weekend dances around the Niagara area until the end of WW2. Then, with the demise of the big band phenomenon, Sutton continued on with small groups. During these 30 years, Sutton married and raised a family. He became a director of the local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians. He became a music teacher for the youth of his home town. He joined the British Methodist Episcopal Church, and, he founded a chapter of the Canadian Brotherhood Club.

At age 78, Cancer claimed Mynie Sutton, and an era of Canadian Jazz ended.

      [ Leo Smuntan Orch ], (20's)
No further information currently available.

      [ Stanley St. John Orch ]>, (40's)
Piano.
Stanley lead a Toronto society Orchestra for many years. His guitarist was a young Moxie Whitney.

      [ Eddie Stroud Orch ], (20's - 50's)
Eddie had 'the family' in his band. The drummer was his brother George, while brother Ron was the lead sax. During the 1940's, his band played such venues as the Barclay Hotel; the Savarin, and Dunn's Pavilion in Bala, Ont. His vocalist was Babs Babineau.