|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/286018
Jezzro2004 - Posted - 06/05/2014: 11:44:33
After 2 to 2 1/2 years of researching and waiting I finally learned the history behind my banjo ( 1926 Gibson Tb-3 #8527-97 ) I acquired from Elderly instruments in Lansing Michigan. When I purchased this banjo it was hard to believe that this thing hadn't been touched or anything for decades as 2 strings was holding the original Grover bridge on, an old Remo head. I pulled the resonator off and inside the rim and resonator was what seemed to be about 1/2 inch of dust. I had searched everywhere online with no luck until I ran up and an ancestry site that mentioned an Ivan M. Broas born in 1910 and passed away in 1964. I acquired and his daughter had got in touch with me regarding the relation to her father and the banjo. Not only did she have an interesting story to include about her father and the banjo but also pictures. I was so surprised when I received these pictures, I am going to share the story she shared with me about Ivan M. Broas and his Tb-3. I hope you all enjoy.
(Ivans daughter writes:) I had no idea Dad's banjo was engraved with his name. I also do not know when he sold it. But I'm pretty sure I know when he bought the banjo, and from whom. There is a family story that Dad bought a banjo from Leon Charles Cuatt, of Devereaux, Michigan, sometime in the 1930s. Several years later, he married.
The Blair Tolhurst Band, led by Kalamazoo, Michigan's Blair Tolhurst, my Dad's teacher, as well as his brother's, my Uncle Bob Broas. (Uncle Bob also appears in that photograph and is second from the left with his trumpet.) Dad played in at least three groups over the years: the Blair Tolhurst Orchestra and the Jimmie Green Band during the 1930s, and as accompanist for a local all-male quartet called The Blue Notes. I am not sure about the spelling of Jimmie Green and was unable to find information on that band online. I know Dad played (probably 'Swing' music) on the Roof Garden Circuit in New Jersey, probably with Jimmie Green. When Dad and mother married in the late 1930s, Dad's days of long bus and train rides ended. The photo is of the Blair Tolhurst Band, with my father, Ivan M. Broas, in the center, holding his 4-string Gibson Banjo. His Gibson guitar is shown on its stand. Dad's younger brother, Robert Broas (my Uncle Bob), is second in from the left with his trumpet. Blair Tolhurst, their music teacher and band director, is standing at the far right. The second photo is of the back of the band's picture.
It was my pleasure to share my father's story with you. He was a wonderful man, a loving soul and a great Dad. I remember falling asleep as a child, listening to him playing his guitar in the living room. Dad romanced my mother with a black Le Domino ukulele, which I'm sorry to say is not in very good shape anymore. However, there are still three visible dominoes on the bottom, three "domino dots" along the fret board and the name Le Domino and the initials JSR on the tuning mount. Mom gave Dad a brand new Martin & Company uke for their 25th wedding anniversary. He was speechless! It was great fun. Another fun "note" is a story about my Dad during the 1950s. He had not worked as a musician in years. Instead he was a tradesman like father, Elver, under whom he apprenticed. Dad made his living as a tool and die maker. But sometime during the 1950s, Dad's hands broke out in a rash that stumped his doctor, who finally told him, "Ivan, there's nothing wrong with you. What you need is a hobby!" It wasn't long before Dad contacted his former guitar teacher, banjo teacher and band director, Blair Tolhurst, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mr. Tolhurst gave lessons on many different instruments and this time, Dad chose to learn to play the piano. He did great and the rash disappeared, leaving him rash free for the rest of his life. Music was the best "medicine" a person could have, as far as my Dad was concerned.
Edited by - Jezzro2004 on 06/05/2014 11:46:04
Jezzro2004 - Posted - 06/06/2014: 05:59:43
Heres some as a tenor and after the conversion, I also have lots of pics in my photos and this link from elderly
elderly.com/vintage/items/80U-2340.htm
From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/06/2014: 08:40:48
Talk about a feel good story with a happy ending!! Boy this is it. Congratulations on being a great caretaker of this banjo's history as well as being part of the history. I hope you enjoy it immensely.
Ken
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
