War Years and the Aftermath
James Petrillo
Autographed portrait of James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians.
The repercussions of World War II devastated the music industry. After America’s entry into the war on December 8, 1941, the federal government rationed gasoline and rubber and other precious resources. The scarcity of gasoline and tires made traveling difficult for big bands, particularly African American bands that relied on one night stands. A ban on recordings by union members called by James Petrillo, President of the American Federation of Musicians, effective July 31, 1942, put additional hardship on musicians who were struggling to make a living. Furthermore, the military draft decimated the ranks of bands, hastening the end of the big-band era. The last two great African American big bands to come out of Kansas City, the Jay McShann and Harlan Leonard bands, disbanded during World War II.
Four Tons of Rhythm
In the back, left to right: Bill Saunders, Jim "Big Daddy" Walker, Clint Weaver with Frog Claiburn in front. Photo courtesy of the Kansas City Museum Association. Goin’ to Kansas City Collection, PC35.
While the big bands declined nationally, a number of small groups thrived in Kansas City. Myra Taylor, Walter Page and other musicians cast off from the decline of the big bands returned to Kansas City. Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore and other musicians traveling on the “chitlin’ circuit” joined with returning members to revitalize Local 627. Julia Lee, the Jimmy Keith band, the Four Tons of Rhythm, the Jesse Price band, Tommy Douglas’s band, Oliver Todd’s Hottentots and a number of other small ensembles found steady work in the clubs at 18th and Vine, downtown and those “out in the county” that thrived in the post-war period.
Union officials upstairs in Local 627
Left to right: 4th Richard Smith, 5th William Shaw, 6th LaForest Dent. Shaw served as president of the union from 1928 – 1948. Considering the large flag in the background, this photo probably dates from World War II.
In 1949, Local 627 underwent a changing of the guard when members expelled long-time President William Shaw for alleged misappropriation of funds. Band leader Elmer Payne, a contemporary of Bennie Moten and George E. Lee, replaced Shaw as president. Cleaning house, members elected a new board of directors and officers. The new Secretary-Treasurer, Richard Smith, revamped the accounting system and instilled discipline in the ranks. Smith became the defacto president of the union, attending national conferences, running membership meetings and publishing the in-house newsletter “Rhythm Notes.”
