House of David: “Hairy jazz band”
One hundred years ago today … Making its New York debut was the twenth-piece House of David Band, playing the Palace Theater. The advertisements summarize their novelty.
New York Tribune 14 Mar. 1920, p. 34. Newspapers.com.
The House of David Band in an undated photo . Courtsy poster Ahaim at the Bixography Discussion Group.
The Sun and Herald reviewed the show the next day, in an article titled: “Hairy Jazz Band Backs Upon Stage.”
The twenty were wrapped in green uniforms, with gold facings, and thatched with hair and beards that, placed on the market, would warrant income taxes. They burst into view first standing with their backs to the audience so the latter could get the full benefit of a sight of their luxuriant manes. Then they sat down and played modern pieces, including the musical fireworks called jazz … and they certainly made it sound like original sin." (The Sun and Herald, 16 Mar. 1920, p. 9.)
Over the next two months the House of David Band would perform frequently in NYC, mostly playing vaudeville stages, but making several other appearances. They performed, for example, on March 25, at a private dinner at the Commodore Hotel dinner for boxer Georges Carpentier, where they played “La Marseilleise.” (Brooklyn Times Union, 26 Mar. 1920, p. 14.) They also played benefits and at least one protest.
They apparently caused quite a stir in the city. At right is an excerpt of the March 27 Daily News, featuring a photo of band member Joseph Hegner, who the article reports, “was once a barber.” The photo, from International, is from their NY arrival, according to The Alliance Review and Reader of March 17, 1920.
They were the source of jokes. In The Evening World’s humor column, Bide Dudley responded to reports that the musicians had not cut their hair since childhood by writing: “That’s nothing. We’ve never cut our hair. The barber has always done it for us.”
The House of David sect, founded in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1903, believed themselves to be descended from the twelve Tribes of Israel depicted in the Old Testament. They apparently still believe it; their current website is here. The website details the role of music in the sect: "Almost every Israelite was involved in some form of musical expression.” The band members apparently made their own instruments.