Research Catalog

Thaddeus Drayton collection

Title
Thaddeus Drayton collection, 1926-1960.
Author
Drayton, Thaddeus.

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Finding Aid

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StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Folder 1Mixed materialUse in library Sc MG 389 Folder 1Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives

Details

Additional Authors
  • Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958.
  • Jessye, Eva, 1895-1992.
Description
1 folder
Summary
The Thaddeus Drayton collection documents portions of his career as a member of the tap dance team of Drayton and Greenlee (Rufus). Included are letters from W.C. Handy concerning a tribute honoring him and with song lyrics on the reverse (1950-1951), letters from composer/conductor Eva Jessye (1960), and letters from Germany and Russia in 1926. Programs from the Veteran's Camp in Mt. McGregor where Drayton performed in 1950, and from the Negro Actors Guild, mention his name. Of special interest is manuscript music from the Teddy Drayton and Lucille act. There are also song lyrics printed in Italian.
Subjects
Genre/Form
Musical scores.
Note
  • Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.
Source (note)
  • Drayton, Ethel
Biography (note)
  • Thaddeus Drayton (1893-1964) together with Rufus Greenlee (1893-1963), pioneered the "class act" tap style, which combined grace and elegance with precision soft-shoe tap dancing. Known as "Drayton and Greenlee," they wore top hats and tails, adding monocles and canes to their costume. They were among the few African Americans to play at the Palace Theater in New York on the vaudeville circuit during World War I. Their act broke up in 1930; Drayton then formed a dance act with Lucille Smith in the 1940s known as "Teddy Drayton and Lucille."
Call Number
Sc MG 389
OCLC
144682722
Author
Drayton, Thaddeus.
Title
Thaddeus Drayton collection, 1926-1960.
Biography
Thaddeus Drayton (1893-1964) together with Rufus Greenlee (1893-1963), pioneered the "class act" tap style, which combined grace and elegance with precision soft-shoe tap dancing. Known as "Drayton and Greenlee," they wore top hats and tails, adding monocles and canes to their costume. They were among the few African Americans to play at the Palace Theater in New York on the vaudeville circuit during World War I. Their act broke up in 1930; Drayton then formed a dance act with Lucille Smith in the 1940s known as "Teddy Drayton and Lucille."
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Finding Aid
Added Author
Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958.
Jessye, Eva, 1895-1992.
Research Call Number
Sc MG 389
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