Takeo Usui (who did a slide for life in 1955 and 1956.) The music played for Usui’s act provides an opportunity to compare Merle Evans’ musical approach to that of Izzy Cervone. In 1955, Evans used two pseudo-Oriental numbers by Karl King: “In Old Peking” and “Ung-Kung-Foy-Ya.” In 1956, Cervone used “Japanese Sunset” a 1916 lyrical mood piece in the “Madam Butterfly” vein, played very rubato to match the action. (The reaction to Cervone’s music by Sverre O. Braathen and other old-time circus fans from back then was close to apoplectic!) |
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
1956 RBBB Book #10
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2 comments:
Takeo Usui was paid $112 per week.
That is $900 in 2010 dollars.
He previously performed in Japanese theaters. Somehow, he was able to adjust to doing his "Slide For Life" from the upper reaches of the OLD Madison Square Garden!!
Frank,
How does that 1956 $112.00 per week at the 1956 cost of living index work out against the 2010 $900.00 per week at the 2010 cost of living index?
Wade Burck
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