GENE JIMAE HONOURED

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 3

GENE JIMAE HONOURED

HARMONICA STAR IN “HOT ICE REVUE”

CONCERT LAST EVENING Gene Jimae, the 10-year-old harmonica star in the “Hot Ice” revue, was the guest of honour at a concert arranged by the Stavemasters and held in Christchurch last evening. The Stavemasters, who are recognised as the leading harmonica ensemble in New Zealand, invited the three other harmonica bands in Christchurch to join them in providing a programme to honour the visiting American. The programme was opened by the Christchurch Harmonica Band, conducted by Mr W. E. Smith. It played four numbers, three of which featured vocalists. One of their items, “Moonlight and Roses,” was played by an octet, which provided a particularly good background to the vocal solo. Skipper’s Harmonica Band, conducted by Mr F. Evans, was next on the programme. “Wonderful Copenhagen” was especially noteworthy among its four items. The Stavemasters are a group of six players of exceptional talent. Gene Jimae’s father, Mr James Jimae, who is touring with his son, considers them comparable with almost any harmonica group in the United States. They are led by Marshall Croy, the others being Bob Stafford, Ray Killick, Maurice Foley, Allan Andrews, and Graeme Watson. The Stavemasters will appear with Gene Jimae at the final performance of the “Hot Ice” show in Christchurch, and they will accompany him during his seasons in Sydney and Melbourne later this year.

During last evening’s programme they played three numbers as the third section of the programme, an arrangement of Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5, in which Mr Stafford played a solo, being particularly well received. The Ace Harmonica Band, conducted by Mr R. Neale, played four items, including the hymn tune, ’’Simeon.” Gene Jimae was then introduced by Mr Paul Gregory. Gene himself introduced his father before the Stavemasters returned to the stage to play five more numbers, in some of which Gene and his father participated. These items were “Twelfth Street Rag” (arranged by the Stavemasters); “Wedding Samba,” an arrangement by Mr Jimae, in which his son took part; “Golden Wedding,” which was specially requested by Mr Jimae, another arrangement by the Stavemasters; and ‘Song of India” and “Slow Poke," both arranged by Mr Jimae. „ „ Ta P e recordings were made of Golden Wedding” and “Song of India.” and when these have been rerecorded on discs, they will be sent to the. United States for general release.

The programme concluded with the playing of “Now is the Hour” by all the bands together, conducted by the conductor of the “Hot Ice” Revue, Mr Armenio Marchetti.