Vaughn Comfort was born in Philadelphia, August 7, 1881.
John J. Blue, an efficient dancer of the present generation successfully conducted a dancing school in Hoboken, N. J., about eight years; desiring wider scope for his talents, he engaged with the Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels at their inception in July, 1908; he remained the season, and re-engaged for 1909-10.
John J. Blue was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 31, 1881.
Harry Jolson (Joelson) is undoubtedly the premier operatic black-face comedian of the day; to hear Mr. Jolson warble selections from “Lucia” gives one that Oliver Twist feeling—you want more.
The first thing theatrical he ever did was to become an usher at the Bijou Theatre in Washington, D. C.; in this way he got many good “tips.” Mr. Jolson next became a singer “in the gallery,” same theatre; after that it was easy.
His first appearance in black-face was with the Mayflower Burlesquers, where he worked with his brother Al. About five years ago at Robinson’s Park, Ft. Wayne, Ind., he appeared for the first time in a single specialty, and since then has played vaudeville.
July 31, 1909, Mr. Jolson opened with the Eddie Leonard Minstrels at Union Hill, N. J., doing an end and his specialty.
May 4, 1910, he sailed for Europe.
Harry Jolson was born in Srednick, Russia, January 12, 1881.
Joe B. McGee didn’t go to school with Mark Twain, nor did he start the late lamented humorist on the road to fame; but Mr. McGee and Mr. Clemens were both born in the same house, and evidently Mr. McGee imbibed there some of the humor created by the immortal wit.