Joel Hooks - Posted - 08/26/2025:  05:46:08

While the term “Minstrel Banjo” is meaningless, there were “Minstrel Banjoists”.



Here is a set of folios in 4 volumes published by Gatcomb, “Coes’ Cuckoos” by George H. Coes and arranged as banjo duets by George L. Lansing.



These “old time banjo” pieces (what would have been considered “old time” when published) are a pretty nice way to fill an evening.



Since they are arranged as duets they make great “jamming” fodder. This is where basic sight-reading can make musical social settings more enjoyable. These are not difficult to play and worth working through.



Here is what “Monarchs of Minstrelsy” wrote about Coes:





George H. Coes was a splendid "straight man", possessed a fine voice, and was an excellent banjoist.



He went to California about 1852 from the east, and identified himself with several minstrel companies there. He remained a few years, and then returned to New York, where he opened with Wood and Christy's Minstrels, October 15, 1857. In the spring of the following year, he again went to California, where he appeared with George Christy's Minstrels. In 1859, with Sam Wells, he organized Coes and Wells’ Minstrels in California.



A few years later, he again came east, subsequently joining the Morris Brothers' Minstrels in Boston. He left them February 13, 1866, and on the following March 5, he was at the opening of Seaver's Minstrels in Brooklyn, N. Y., in the theatre that is now known as the Novelty. A year later, with S. S. Purdy and Frank Converse, Purdy, Coes and Converse's Minstrels were organized.



Mr. Coes played stock engagements at Pastor's, Bob Butler's and John Hart's theatres in New York City for many years. He formed a partnership with Luke Schoolcraft in 1874, which terminated in 1889.



George H. Coes was born in Providence, R. I., about 1828; he died in Cambridge, Mass., March 16, 1897.



 

trapdoor2 - Posted - 08/26/2025:  05:54:33

Looks like another good Tab project. Thanks, Joel!

A quick scan looks like either stroke or fingerstyle will do. I'll start on #1 and see how they go. If I can, I'll add chord symbols for the 2nds.