Percy Hughes and the X-Navy Band performed at the Treasure Inn in St. Paul on January 11, 1947, with vocals by his (soon-to-be or already?) wife Judy Perkins.

 

Marian Anderson appeared at Northrop Auditorium on January 22, 1947, as a part of the University Artists Course.

 

Spike Jones presented a “corn-cert” at the Minneapolis Auditorium on February 20, 1947.  He had just been here the previous November, but came back quickly because so many people had been turned away.

 

 

Tim Bender sponsored a cabaret dance at the CIO Hall on March that would feature an all-star orchestra of the best Negro and white bandsmen in the Northwest, reported the Spokesman.  They would include Dell Otis, Dave Goodloe, Bobby Green, and Irving Williams.

 

Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians performed at the Minneapolis Auditorium on March 16, 1947.

 

Nat “Lotsa Papa” Towles and His Orchestra came to the CIO Hall on March 23, 1947, in a concert sponsored by the Knights.  Towles had appeared with Louis Jordan at Chicago’s Regal Theater and had rocked the Apollo in New York City.  In the lower ballroom of the Hall, a cabaret dance was held with the “ever popular” Prince Rogers’ Combo with the romantic voice of Dick Mayes and the Merry Jesters, America’s newest Pied Pipers.  This was apparently a traveling road show called “Cavalcade,” and included Omar “Satchmo” Williams, 17-year-old Canadian pianist.

 

Lloyd Kirk, lyric baritone and singer of “Sacred Spirituals, Classic, Folk Songs” appeared at Benton hall, YWCA on March 27, 1947.  He was described as a radio, recording, and concert artist.

 

The Twin Cities Amusement Club succeeded in bringing Lionel Hampton and His World Famous Orchestra to the Minneapolis Auditorium on April 23, 1947

“LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL” Says Tiger Jackie Reynolds, Boxer Turned Promoter.  Rock and Swing with the Percy Hughes Orchestra, featuring lovely Judy Perkins, Vocalist.  Stem hall, St. Paul Auditorium, July 19, 1947.  A featured attraction was a dancing contest between Minneapolis Bronzeville and St. Paul Bronzeville.  Sponsored by Jackie Reynolds Rosenbloom.

 

A Battle of the Bands ensued at the CIO Hall on July 26 between Bobby Williams’ Orchestra of Minneapolis and Teddy Massey’s Orchestra of St. Paul.  Presented by the Apollo Club.

 

A Coronation Ball, crowning the Queen of the Fezzah Temple, was held on August 8, 1947, at Norway Hall.  Music was provided by Percy Hughes and his Orchestra.

 

A Labor Day Dance was held at the Elks Rest on September 1, 1947, with music by Ira Pettiford and the Jesters.

 

On October 23, 1947, St. Louis Park teens attended an Edina Teen Canteen at 50th and Wooddale, where there was something called a Disk Jockey Joggle featuring Don Leary, emcee.  Apparently kids competed to be disk jockeys, with the grand prize winner to appear on Don Leary’s radio show.

 

On October 31, 1947, the St. Thomas Men’s Club held their first annual Masquerade Ball at Norway Hall.

 

Marian Anderson performed with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra on October 31 and November 1, 1947.

 

A Battle of the Bands was sponsored by the Leader Club at Stem Hall (the old St. Paul Auditorium) between Percy Hughes’ Ex-Navy Band and the New Merry Men on November 10.

 

The King David Lodge #2 Masons held a Thanksgiving Ball at Norway Hall on November 27.  Music was provided by Ira Pettiford and the Jesters of Rhythm.

 

The Mayor of Bronzeville Fifth Annual Ball was held on November 27, 1947, at the Labor Temple.   The show, sponsored by the Associated Negro Credit Union, was broadcast on WCCO, and Cedric Adams did the honors of inducting James W. Slemmons as Mayor.  Music was provided by David Falson and His Gents of Swing, featuring Dickie Mayes. This would be the last in Minneapolis. After several years without a competition, the Credit Union issued a formal statement bringing it to an end in 1954.

 

Yet another event on November 27, 1947, was a Thanksgiving dance at the CIO Hall with the Percy Hughes Band and his singer/wife Judy Perkins.

 

“We Call it Jazz,” a concert for modern big bands, was held on December 14, 1947.  1,000 people showed up at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom for the session that featured the music of Bruce Dybvig.  The account of the event, presented in the September 1950 issue of The St. Paul Musician, did not name the co-sponsors, but just said they were a local disc jockey and a brother-in-law of Eddie Condon.

 

A Gigantic Stage Show featuring local talent was staged at the Minneapolis YWCA on December 16, 1947.  Cedric Adams was the emcee, and the program also included a movie and music by Percy Hughes and His Orchestra.