HO HOPPIN' (on the South Side)

Two legendary Harlem hoofers, a comedian who could "slap" you silly, a musician who could blow you silly, Bruce Nugent's brother, and a fabulous crossover singer make for some mighty fine vintage black male bonding in Chitown.

Chicago, 1947.

Comments

[Brandon]

Wow. Were any of them gay? The Nugent family....

[Spellbound By The Fudge]

THEY JUST ALL LOOK SO CLEAN AND WELL GROOMED.

[Corey]

@Brandon! I know that you're familiar with one of our "fathers", Richard "Bruce" Nugent, who wrote what is considered the very first short story of same-sex desire to come out of the Harlem Renaissance - Smoke, Lillies and Jade! He was also the subject of the movie, Brother To Brother. Yes, you remember, brother B.

As for the other brothas in the photo, no one has ever said none of them were ever gay or bisexual at any time that I know of.

@Spellbound! OF COURSE, they look CLEAN AND WELL GROOMED! This is Black Entertainment, 1947, NOT THE 2000's. Classy, Clean, Suave, Well-groomed, ALL THAT was de rigueur back in the day - AND YOU KNOW THAT!

[Jim]

Some good-looking dandies in this picture, especially Slappy White and Frank Wess.

One of these men is not only still alive, but as of two years ago at least, still doing what he’s famous for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4zLrMnBp_Y

I love this photo of him:

http://www.purojazz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Frank-Wess-FB.jpg

[Corey]

@Jim! Thanks for sharing the video and the great photo of Frank Wess. Not only am I glad to know that Wess is still with us, but Barry Harris, too! I'm going to go pull his "At The Jazz Workshop" album and play it NOW!

[david]

Dang who knew slappy white was ever fine? all i remember him from are sanford & son reruns. lol

[Corey]

Thanks for your comment, David! I can't wait to get into your blog; it looks WONDERFUL! I'll be in touch soon.

[Derrick from Philly]

Thanks for the great photo, Corey. I remember as a child seeing Black men dressed up like those guys just to come to a house party or even a Friday night fish fry.

Out of all the Black men from that era in the world of Jazz/Swing/R&B I thought was sexy I guess it would be Trummy Young from Louis Armstrong's Band...oh, and of course, Buck Clayton from Count Basie's. Also, I always thought Louis Jordan was handsome with the sexiest voice.

No, I didn't forget about Nat King Cole.

[Brandon]

Oh yes, Bruce Nugent...lol I didn't have to ask. I just didn't put the name with the photos.