[78-L] Olde-Timers, Josephine Baker

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

When Josephine Baker returned to the U.S. about 1951, I saw her perform 
at the RKO Theatre in Boston. At the time, they had a vaudeville 
policy. I think she was on the same bill with Duke Ellington. I was 
fascinated by all the equipment Sonny Greer had in his kit. It probably 
took three people to set up and take down. I went to other shows as 
well, including Teddy Wilson with Jo Jones. Jones paid a visit to the 
then well-known Jack’s Drum Shop, where I first met him. Jones also 
played at George Wein’s Storyville, as did a young Roy Haynes, and 
Buzzy Drootin, who was not one of my favorite drummers.
Geoffrey Wheeler