Browse Items (43 total)

Whatley School 1.jpg
Program for Birmingham's John Tuggle Whatley Elementary School, named for the city's influential "Maker of Musicians," John T. "Fess" Whatley. Program includes a biography of Whatley and a photo of his early Vibra-Cathedral Orchestra. Please see also…

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Birmingham_Post_Herald_Thu__Mar_8__1956_.jpg
Newspaper article on the retirement of John T. "Fess" Whatley,Birmingham Post Herald, March 8, 1956.

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The_Huntsville_Mirror_Sat__Jan_28__1956_.jpg
Newspaper article by J. B. "Jay" Sims on the retirement of John T. "Fess" Whatley. One of Whatley's early students, Sims was an early member of the Bama State Collegians; a bandleader, musician, and emcee; an educator; and a longtime social and…

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The_Birmingham_News_Sat__Dec_23__1950_.jpg
Newspaper photo and caption: "Negro debutantes of 1950 presented" at Birmingham Municipal Auditorium: "Fess Whatley's Orchestra furnished music."Birmingham News, December 23, 1950.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Jan_25__1947_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for the (Franklin) Roosevelt Ball, a benefit for the March of Dimes, with concurrent dances in Birmingham's Masonic Temple and Elks Rest and "Music By 10 Big Bands": Dan Michael's QuartetJohn L. Bell Fess Whatley The Driver…

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Jun_1__1946_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for the Marva Louis Popularity Contest and Dance, featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's Masonic Temple.Weekly Review, June 1, 1946.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Dec_22__1945_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Fess Whatley's Christmas and New Year's Eve dances at Birmingham's Masonic Temple.Weekly Review, December 22, 1945.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_28__1944_.jpg
"Witches! Witches! Are You Afraid Of Them?"Newspaper advertisement for a Halloween night dance featuring Fess Whatley, organized by promoter Monroe Kenedy at Birmingham's Masonic Temple.Weekly Review, October 28, 1944.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_7__1944_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a Masonic Temple dance to follow a 1944 football game between Atlanta's Clark College and Tuskegee Institute. Singer Dolly Brown performed with Fess Whatley and his Orchestra, in an event managed by promoter Monroe…

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The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Dec_5__1943_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a "Battle of Music" to benefit the Negro T. B. Association. Featured acts include the bands of Fess Whatley, Bob Harris, and Sonny Blount (the future Sun Ra).Birmingham News, December 5, 1943.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Oct_31__1942_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Fess Whatley and His band at the Masonic Temple's Halloween Ball. "WITCHES! WITCHES! WITCHES!"Weekly Review, October 31, 1942.

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The_Weekly_Review_Sat__Jul_11__1942_.jpg
Newspaper photo and caption for a homecoming show by Erskine Hawkins at Birmingham's Masonic Temple. "'Hawk', as are all the rest of his men are Birmingham products, most of whom were trained under 'Fess' John T. Whatley."Weekly Review, July 11,…

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Apr_11__1941_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for an Easter night dance featuring Fess Whatley's Vibra-Cathedral Orchestra.

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Jan_24__1941_.jpg
Weekly Review, January 24, 1941.

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Jan_31__1941_ copy.jpg
In 1941, the Black-owned Weekly Review ran a readers' poll to determine the best swing band in Birmingham. Contenders included the bands of Fess Whatley, Howard Funderburg, and Frank Hines; the Society Troubadours; and Teddie's Honey Boys.Weekly…

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The_Weekly_Review_Fri__Dec_20__1940_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a Christmas dance with Fess Whatley's Vibra-Cathedral Orchestra,Weekly Review, December 2, 1940.

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The_Birmingham_News_Wed__Feb_7__1940_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for Fess Whatley's 12-Piece Orchestra in an "Exclusive Colored Dance" at Birmingham's City Auditorium, Birmingham News, February 7, 1940.

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Fess Whatley's Saxo-Society 2.jpeg
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."

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The_Birmingham_News_Fri__Dec_31__1937_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a "New Year's Eve Barn Dance Frolic" featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's City Auditorium. Birmingham News, December 31, 1937. Three of the stars of Whatley's band are identified by name: trumpeter Johnny ("Johnnie")…

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The_Birmingham_News_Thu__Dec_30__1937_.jpg
Newspaper advertisement for a "New Year's Eve Barn Dance Frolic" featuring Fess Whatley at Birmingham's City Auditorium.Birmingham News, December 30, 1937.Three of the stars of Whatley's band are identified by name: trumpeter Johnny ("Johnnie")…

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