I am posting this piece as a follow-up to the article I previously posted on jazz in Japanese prison camps. Such a fascinating episode in the history of the wartime era.

Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, 4 Feb. 1944

A report on American hep-cats in Shanghai at the time of Pearl Harbor is given in the Jan. 15 issue of “Down Beat,” musicians’ professional organ, published in Chicago, under the byline of Hal P. Mills, of Shanghai. His story appears on the front page under a banner headline “Yanks Jive in Jap Prison.”

Accompanying the story is a two-column photo showing "Jimmy” James and his band serenading the departing American Marines in Oct. 1941.

According to Mr. Mills, who left a hospital at Hines, 111., on the day this article appeared and who is now understood to be in New Orleans, such United States hep-cats as the Japs nabbed are now mostly in the Pootung prison camp where they have formed "what is described as the hottest dance band Shanghai ever has known.”

“Golden Opportunity”

Although the musicians are not getting very wide scope for their talents at the moment, Mr. Mills expresses the personal opinion that Shanghai is going to be “a golden opportunity town for hep-cats after the war.”

Portions of Mr. Mill's article follow:

"The band includes five men who are orchestra leaders of fame and one former assistant conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The latter is Henry Francis Parks, of Chicago. The austere Mr. Parks was chosen as leader of the prison band, but later was deposed bypopular demand.

"The current leader is Tommy Missman, whose mother, Mrs. Cloe Springer, resides at National City, Calif. Tommy is a loyal American but is in the good graces of his keepers not only because he has a Japanese wife, but also because he can sling more than a little of the Japanese language. Prior to being interned the cheerful and amiable Missman was leader of the crack dance band at Jimmy James’ New Winter Garden, Shanghai.

Well Known Leaders

“Other recognized leaders in the prison camp band are Henry B. Nathan, who for many years was leader of the Cathay Hotel Ballroom band, Shanghai. The Cathay Hotel, in case you don’t know, was the swankiest spot in Asia. Henry plays sax, clarinet and violin.

“Another member is Johnny Staley, of California. Back in 1931 Jimmy was imported to Shanghai to head the orchestra at the smart Little Club, then the reigning night spot of the city. Both Missman and Staley are known to many Chicago musicians.

"Others of the prison unit ARE Cliff Flook, ex-leader; Sonny Lewis, Hawaiian musician and ex-leader; Dick Reynolds, one-time maestro of the Metropole Ballroom band at Shanghai; Charley Jones, Lester Vactor, who is also the prison camp barber; Foster Vernon, Bob Hill, who was famous as leader of the old Venus Ballroom band, and Bob Fockler, ex-leader of the Del Monte Cafe band. In its hey-day, the Del Monte was one of the world’s most famous cabarets.

“Fockler, however, is not in good standing with many of the internees. After Pearl Harbor he broadcast anti-Ally programs for the German station at Shanghai. True, he did so with obvious lack of enthusiasm, but even so, he did 'aid and comfort the enemy.’ He may never be able to return to America.

Hausermann in Chicago

"Another able member of the Pootung camp band was Fred Hausermann, of Chicago, who recently returned aboard the Gripsholm and who is now in Chicago with his parents. Fred is in a bad fix physically. One lung is missing.

‘‘Came the day when the lucky internees who were to be exchanged were preparing to leave the camp. The hep-cats rallied ’round and broke into Irving Berlin’s ‘God Bless America.’ Tears were rolling down the cheeks of dusky Jimmy Brown, crack trumpet player but he played as never before. Others, too, were misty-eyed. A mighty cheer went up from the prisoners and the alarmed guards came running from all directions, bayonets fixed.

‘‘But Tommy Missman rose to the occasion. Speaking in Japanese he soothed the worried guards, explaining that it was only music and not an uprising. The guards were mollified, but directed that the number not be played again. It hasn’t been. 

Interned at Chapei

“Almost all of the hep-cats were imprisoned during the Big Round-up of Americans last February. Those with families were interned at the Chapei camp. Interned there, too is Jimmy James, father of the Union of Musicians at Shanghai, and its first honorary president.

“Jimmy, his wife and young daughters, Ann and Doris, are still at the Chapei camp. Cliff Flook and his bride are at the Chapei camp. His wife was the charming Stella Myers, secretary to the publisher of the Shanghai Times. They married shortly before Pearl Harbor.

“Pursuing a policy of attempting to win Filipino favor, the Japs have not molested or interned any of the 200 or more Filipino musicians of Shanghai. Tops in the Filipino field is Don Jose’s orchestra at the Lido Ballroom.

"All European refugee musicians are interned in the Hongkew District.

“Music in the city’s night spots is furnished by Filipinos, Russians, and Chinese. The average pay is about $1000 per month, Nanking currency, or about US$50. Almost all of the musicians are in dire straits.

Chinese Bomb Spots

"Musicians who play at the large Chinese ballrooms and cabarets are in constant danger. Patriotic Chinese have a ’playful' custom of exploding bombs in such spots, the idea being to discourage dancing and drinking while China is fighting her war for existence. Bombs have been exploded in the Paramount, Lido, Mee Koo May, Metropole and Paradise ballrooms, many persons being killed.

"Gloria Andico, daughter of the late beloved leader, Andy Andico, is Shanghai's top femme leader. Andico died last year. He was a Filipino and a veteran of the first World War, during which he served in the U. S. Navy.

"Beer is unobtainable in the hot spots, the entire output of local breweries going to the Jap armed forces. Doubtful whiskey costs about US $2 per drink. The once- despised vodka is now in brisk demand at $1 per copy.

"In the opinion of this writer, who spent 16 years in Shanghai, that city will be a golden opportunity town for hep-cats after the war."