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Advertisement for Fess Whately's Saxo-Society Orchestra of Industrial High School, circa 1930: "A Neat Appearing Group of Men that Will Grace Any Function."

Jimmy Chappell Orchestra at the Pickwick Club, Birmingham, Alabama.

Courtesy Carol Clarke.

Lincoln School Band, 1930s. Band director William Wise Handy, nephew of W. C. Handy, is at far left, in black. Frank Adams is in the front row, third student from left, with clarinet.

Drummer Alton “Snooky” Davenport. Davenport studied music at Tuskegee Institute, performed in Fess Whatley’s Birmingham orchestra, and during the Second World War directed the 334th ASF Band at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as bandmaster at…

Bandleader John T. "Fess" Whatley stands at far left in the center row. Many of Whatley's students would go on to professional careers as jazz musicians.