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We've Got A Jazzy Sound
A number of former band members went on to make a living by playing with outstanding band leaders like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton. Today the former residents of Jenkins Orphanage are living proof that the programs still work. Former residents have become doctors, lawyers, ministers, musicians, and teachers.
In 1905 the band played in President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade and in 1909 President Taft's. It appeared at the St. Louis Exposition and the Anglo-American Exposition in London. The band has toured from coast to coast, played in Paris, Berlin, Rome, London, and Vienna. The band also played on Broadway for the entire run of the play "Porgy".
The “Jenkins Band Alumni” are all taken from the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” Web Site. We are only bringing attention to the musicians that have a connection with “Jenkins Orphanage”, so you must read their full articles on the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” web site. Musicians that played in the Jenkins Bands were not necessarily residents of the Orphanage. The “Charleston Jazz Initiative” site lists many more artists from throughout South Carolina. Be sure to visit this site and take advantage of all the information that their research has yielded. Any videos in this section are links to “Youtube”.
Our Musicians
BIOS-
VIDEOS-
Gus Aiken
(1901 or 1902 -1973)
Born in Charleston and resident of the Jenkins Orphanage; known as “Spec” at the orphanage and played in its bands from 1912, then left to work in traveling shows.
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(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
William "Bill" Benford
(b. 1902)
William "Bill" Benford (1902 – 1994) played tuba and bass. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia. Benford was the brother of drummer Tommy Benford. He, like his brother, was a member of the Jenkins Orphanage band in South Carolina as a child, touring with the band in 1915 in the United States and Europe.
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(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Arthur Briggs, [James]
(1899-1991)
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Considered one of the best trumpeters in Europe; some oral history accounts state that Briggs spent some of his childhood in Charleston and studied music at Jenkins Orphanage along with his cousin and tuba player, Pete Briggs; other accounts state that Briggs did not spent time at Charleston’s Jenkins Orphanage but studied perhaps in New York City with Jenkins Orphanage instructor, Francis Eugene Mikel.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Thomas "Tommy" Binford (1905-1994)
Ace drummer who studied drums with Herbert and Stephen Wright, Jenkins Orphanage Band musicians; born in Charleston, West Virginia (passed away in Mt. Vernon, West Virginia); enrolled in the Jenkins Orphanage in 1913 and toured with the Jenkins Orphanage Band when they performed at the Anglo-American Exposition in London in 1914.
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(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Peter "Pete" Briggs
(b. 1904 – death date unknown)
Thought to be a South Carolina native; cousin of [James] Arthur Briggs; played the tuba in the Jenkins Orphanage Band. Played with Louis Armstrong, Carroll Dickerson, and Jimmie Noone.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Thomas "Tom" Henry Delaney
(1889-1963)
Born in Charleston; sang in the Jenkins Orphanage choir in the early 1900s; a popular and prolific blues composer/songwriter on Tin Pan Alley and in the 1920s whose songs were used by recording artists of the era.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Julius Fields, “Geechie”
(b. 1904)
Trombonist who entered the Jenkins Orphanage in 1915 and learned to play the trombone by Eugene “Buddy” Aiken and Jacob “Jake” Frazie.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Jacob W. Frazier "Jake"
( birth and death date unknown)
Trombonist with the Jenkins Orphanage Bands during the 1900s and 1910s.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative”
Herb Flemming, [Fleming]
(1900-1976)
Featuring Herb Fleming on Trombone
Multi-instrumentalist, notably trombone and vocalist; his birthplace is questionable. He began playing with the Jenkins Orphanage Band at age ten.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Harper, “Geechie” William Emerson
(b. 1895)
Entered the Jenkins Orphanage in 1902 and was a music instructor there from 1912-14; played clarinet, oboe and alto saxophone.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Herbert LeRoy Holland, “Peanuts” (1910-1979)
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, he was a trumpeter (also a vocalist) with the
Jenkins Orphanage bands in the 1920s.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Francis Eugene Mikell Sr.
(1880-1932)
(No Picture available – If you have a picture please contact us or “The Charleston Jazz Initiative”)
Charlestonian and multi-instrumentalist was a resident of, and taught music at Jenkins Orphanage in late 1890s (Arthur Briggs and Cousin Pete Briggs were his students at the orphanage.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Freddy (Freddie) Jenkins
(1906-1978)
Trumpeter; resident at the Jenkins Orphanage and claimed to be related to Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Ermitt (Ermet) Perry
( b. 1910)
Born in Jacksonville, FL; resident of the Jenkins Orphanage from 1921-1926; Lead Trumpeter.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Rufus "Speedy" Jones
(1936-1990)
Born in Charleston; though not a resident, he studied and played with the Jenkins Orphanage Bands.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Leo Shepherd
( b. 1926)
Born in Charleston; entered Jenkins Orphanage in 1932 and played trumpet with the bands in the late 1930s through early 1940s.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Joseph "Joey" Morant
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Joey Morant is a native Charlestonian, brass instrumentalist and vocalist. He is the quintessential trumpeter from the Jenkins Orphanage band tradition of the 1950s.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Samuel "Lonnie" Simmons
A native of Charleston; began playing at age 10 as a member of the Jenkins Orphanage Band. Lonnie is the son of Phillip Simmons, famous blacksmith from Charleston, SC.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
William "Willie" McLeish Smith
(1910-1967)
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Born in Charleston; Avery Graduate, 1921; his mother, Maude Smith was the head of music at Avery; oral accounts are that he gigged with the Jenkins Orphanage Band in the mid-1920.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Amos Mordechai White
(b. 1889)
Graduate of Avery – was in 9th grade with Edmund Thornton Jenkins; entered the Jenkins Orphanage in 1900 and played trumpet with Jenkins Orphanage Bands regularly until 1913.
(From the “Charleston Jazz Initiative” – View this Article)
Lonnie Hamilton III
(1910-1967)
For more than fifty years, Mr. Lonnie Hamilton, III has dedicated his time and efforts to making Charleston a better place. Former educator, politician and professional musician, he is an alto saxophonist and clarinetist. After touring with the Jenkins Orphanage Bands (he was never a resident) during the mid-1940s, he played with his own band, Lonnie Hamilton and the Diplomats, the signature jazz band in Charleston for decades. Hamilton has been called a legend and the embodiment of Charleston’s rich jazz legacy.
Before he went on to achieve distinction as an educator, celebrated public official and professional musician, Mr. Lonnie Hamilton, III faced humble beginnings. He attended Burke High School, which was the only high school in the area for African American students. Inspired by watching the Jenkins Orphanage Band parade down Spring Street to Broad Street on Saturday afternoons, Mr. Hamilton saw music as the key to his future success. After high school, Mr. Hamilton was offered a music scholarship to attend South Carolina state College in Orangeburg.
He played music throughout his time in College and went on to serve as the Band Director at Sims High School for two years before being invited to serve as Band Director at Bonds-Wilson High School – a position he held for 20 years.
Mr. Hamilton’s Diplomats was the house band for a very popular jazz nightclub he owned on Charleston’s North Market Street (it later moved to the 2nd floor of Henry’s Restaurant) in the 1970’s through the early 1990’s. Mr. Hamilton performed in 2010 with the Charleston Jazz Initiative Legends Band and is also featured on its first CD recording.
His commitment to serving the Charleston community didn’t stop with his music students. Mr. Hamilton served for more than 20 years as a Charleston County Council Member – elected in 1970 as the first African American in the County’s history to hold such office, and serving twice as Charleston County Council Chair. “Poor people had few ways to get anything they needed and I was able to serve them,” he said, noting his efforts to bring recycling to Charleston and a Triage Unit to the County Hospital during his tenure as some of his proudest achievements.
Today, the interchange of Interstate I-526 and I-26 bears his name, as does the Charleston County office building – Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building. In 2003, his former students from Bonds-Wilson High School formed the charitable Lonnie Hamilton, III Foundation, which focuses on educational achievement.
It is clear the Lowcountry would not be what it is today without the tireless efforts of Mr. Lonnie Hamilton, III; and his work aren’t done. Despite his credentials and talent, Mr. Hamilton opted to build his legacy in Charleston as a public servant. In a 2011 interview Mr. Hamilton is quick to clarify, “Music is his first passion.” The College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture maintains archival Collection that includes material related to Mr. Hamilton’s personal life and professional career as an educator, musician, and Charleston County Councilman.
For all who have heard and felt your music – we thank you Mr. Hamilton from the debts of our Jazz Souls! We thank you for all you have done, and look forward to reaping the pleasure of your further accomplishments.