Scrapbook
This scrapbook was compiled by Charles "Chas" Summers, a very close friend of Willie Eckstein. A pianist and organist, he was initially a member of the Eckstein Jazz Orchestra with Willie's brother Jack, but later performed as a duo with Jack in numerous Montreal venues. Although Summers eventually moved to Buffalo, he and Willie enjoyed a lifelong friendship. The scrapbook contains memorabilia that Summers himself glued into the album and annotated, like press clippings, musical scores and photographs, but it also features testimonials from many friends and celebrities, including actress Texas Guinan, jazz singer Del Porter, composer and pianist Russel Robinson, and the prestidigitator Mr. Bokou.
Chas appears to be a bit of an eccentric and this document marvellously illustrates his outsized, gregarious personality, while at the same time reflecting the vibrancy of the nightclub scene in Montreal and the United States. Several sketches, collages and satirical articles complete this scrapbook.
Source of title proper: Based on the title of the document.
Language: The documents in the scrapbook are in English and French, but primarily in English.
General note: For unknown reasons, this scrapbook remained in the hands of Willie Eckstein. In 1959, Charles Summers wrote to his friend asking him to return it the next time he was in Buffalo.
Last update: March 29, 2019
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This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.