KENTUCKY JUBILEE SINGERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20786, 3 August 1929, Page 13

KENTUCKY JUBILEE SINGERS.

The ■ theatrical firm of J. and X. Tait has brought to New Zealand many famous artists —Paderewski, Pavlova, Heifetz, Galli-Curci, Chaliapin, Moisewitsch, and other celebrities —and now, after lengthy negotiations, it has succeeded in engaging Forbes Randolph’s Original Kentucky Jubilee Singers for - a short tour of the Dominion, and they appear here for tour nights. only at His Majesty’s Theatre, commencing on Saturday next. Mr Forbes, Randolph, the well-known New York theatrical entrepreneur, will personally direct the New Zealand visit of the Jubilee Singers, who recently concluded a triumphant tour of the United States and Canacla, appearing at some of the, largest and best-known theatres.' At the famous Roxy Theatre, of New Y',rk, which is one of the largest in the .world, these singers were engaged for six consecutive weeks, and their singing so impressed the audiences that they were nightly given an ovationjseldom accorded public artists. Immediately following the performances at the Roxy Theatre, Mr Forbes Randolph accepted a tour for the choir, which took them to the Pacific Coast.' Here their success was instantaneous, and verged on the sensational.. Not only the general public, but musical organisations of varying nature, churches, Sunday schools, aiid choirs manifested an extraordinary interest in the singing of these vocalists. The critics, were practically unanimous that the work of these educated and welltrained coloured artists ■ was of quite • a new standard of perfection. The principal artists among those who have just arrived in. New Zealand are Arthur Gaines and:'Robert Caver, first tenors; Hinton Jones and Augustus Simons, second tenors; Archie Cross and William Veasey, first basses; Arthur Pavne and Ed. D. Pierson, second basses; and George Alfonzo; noted dancer. There are many beautiful and appropriate settings; and the repertoire of this wonderful-combina-tion of highly-trained ; singers comprises no less than 150 selections. The visit of the Kentucky Jubilee Singers is a short one only." The box plans will be opened on Thursday next.