A NEW PAGE ON THE CLASSIC-BANJO.NING WEBSITE PUBLISHED TODAY!

[thereallyniceman]

Joe Morley  “The Lightning Banjo Player”

  

Over the last 18 months, site member Richard Ineson has been working on a biography of the world’s greatest composer for the Classic Style Banjo, Joe Morley.

 

All classic style players know of Morley but if you visit the

NEW  page you will find out MUCH, MUCH more about his life.

 

The Life of Joe Morley

 

 

I first discussed this project with Richard in February 2015 as an addition to Anthony Peabody’s page:

 

 “Works of Joe Morley”

 

Anthony has been producing audio tracks that can be played while you view the individual scores of Morley’s compositions.

 

 

Thank you Richard for all your hard work!

Ian

 

 

 

 

[Jody Stecher]

Richard, thank you for this wonderful and complete reply!  You *have* answered my question. I knew about the things you mention in a broad general way, but not in anything close to such detail (and i LOVE detail) and I was not able to "put two and two together". But now I can, thanks to you.

Richard William Ineson said:

I think I can answer your question Jody, but you need  a bit of background information first.

Clifford Essex and Alfred Cammeyer had their first studio at 59, Piccadilly, where they remained until the dissolution of their partnership in 1900, Essex when took the upper floors at 15a, Grafton Street, rooms which had previously been  occupied by the greatest actor of the Victorian age, Sir Henry Irving.

Cammeyer meanwhile,  moved initially, to 14, Jermyn Street, his wife, Annie Vaughan Hughes, was the widow of an army officer, and her father had a jewellery shop situated on Jermyn Street, which probably had some influence on  Cammeyer's  decision to set up his studio in this fashionable street.

Cammeyer later moved to 97a, Jermyn Street, (although Cammeyer claimed Jermyn Street as his address his premises were accessed, via York Street, more properly. Duke of York Street, the impressive marble entrance is still there) and eventually he took the house at 3, Swallow Street, formerly occupied by famous banjo composer and player, Herbert J.Ellis, when Ellis died in 1903.

Cammeyer finally settled at 6, Swallow Street where he remained until sometime in the 1930s when he relocated to Poland Street. Cammeyer's wife died in 1938,  in which year  Cammeyer retired to live on the Derbyshire estate of his banjo pupil, and mill owner, the Honourable Arthur Strutt.

Essex and Cammeyer purposely chose their premises, for the addresses which bestowed on themselves and their businesses,a very valuable commodity in Great Britain in the 19th century, 'respectability'.The banjo had been given the seal of approval by the Royal family, and this made the banjo a 'society' craze, the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward V11, was a banjo fan and had banjo lessons from the Bohee Brothers who had their studio in Coventry Street, the Prince also purchased a banjo from Alfred Weaver.

That the banjo was approved of and played by, members of the Royal family was the single most important factor is ensuring its success with 'society'  at the end of the 19th century.

Queen Victoria had been much amused ( for a change) by the Ethiopian Minstrels who had performed for her during a visit to Arundel Castle in December, 1846, there is also, a so far unsubstantiated, story of Joel Sweeney entertaining her with his instrument during his visit to the British Isles in, I think 1843.

Queen Victoria encouraged her several children to take up the banjo and the Prince of Wales, later King Edward V11, is said to have been an accomplished player of the instrument, the Clifford Essex Pierrot Banjo Team also entertained the Prince and Princess Alexandra on board the Royal Yacht at Cowes in 1891, and on other occasions.

Essex and Cammeyer very shrewdly, dealt with only the upper echelons of society, it would be interesting to know how much they charged for lessons, but we know that they sold banjo solos for four shillings each (20p in new money)  at this time; this was a sizeable sum of money in the 1890s.

Essex said that they could sell as many banjos as they could get hold of and that the price of these banjos 'was no object', E&C imported American banjos from the top manufacturers such as Cole before establishing their own workshops

To answer your question, Clifford Essex could not be seen to put Joe Morley on at his concert playing any old banjo, especially a crude, old fashioned, seven stringer, as the customers of E&C would have wondered why they were expected to purchase very expensive banjos made from exotic woods, inlaid with mother of pearl, with carved necks, ivory pegs, gold plated fittings etc. when the foremost player of the instrument could play the most demanding of pieces on an unfretted old tub.

[Richard William Ineson]

For those like Jody who love detail, the latest news, sent to me by a fellow Joe Morley fan is that the pub which Joe's brother James ran in Lewisham, is miraculously, still a pub, it's called 'The Watch House' and it's owned by Wetherspoon's. The reviews of this popular drinking establishment are well worth reading.

[David Wade]

I have finally got round to updating www.joemorley.co.uk. Rather than duplicating pages I've referenced back to this page and updated the links page as appropriate.

I still have copies of the Morley Magic book/cd sets if anyone is interested in a bargin!.

[Trapdoor2]

David, do you have all three available (book 1, book 2 and commentaries)?

[Hal Allert]

David, nice job on updating the Joe Morley site. Very concise and user-friendly.

David Wade said:

I have finally got round to updating www.joemorley.co.uk. Rather than duplicating pages I've referenced back to this page and updated the links page as appropriate.

I still have copies of the Morley Magic book/cd sets if anyone is interested in a bargin!.

[David Wade]

There were 4 volumes in the original print run - now reduced to two. I have the "old stock" and I'm sure there is at least one complete set plus loads of Book 1 sets. 

Trapdoor2 said:

David, do you have all three available (book 1, book 2 and commentaries)?

[Trapdoor2]

I'll take a complete set. I'll PM you.

[F. Chris Ware]

Dear Mr. Wade,

Please count another set amongst the sold, if you have one -- or whatever is available! Though it's AM here in the states, I suppose I can also PM you, since you're six hours later, right?

My very best, 

Chris Ware.