Vocal and Instrumental Concert with Laughing Gas Exhibition

Event Information

Venue(s):
Cooper Institute

Price: $.50 adults; $.25 children

Event Type:
Variety / Vaudeville

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
25 July 2014

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

10 Dec 1863, 8:00 PM

Program Details

Performers and/or Works Performed

LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)

Participants: Sawnee; Georgia John

Citations

Advertisement: New York Herald, 10 December 1863, 12.

Contains biographical information collected from multiple papers.

“OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

(From the New York Herald,)

Sawnee came with General Banks from Virginia. He is aged about 15, in size about four feet. He patted, sang and danced all sorts of Negro Jigs, and crowed like a common cock, a Shanghae and a [illeg.], and gave so admirable a imitation of a fight between two dogs as to madden all the canines in the neighborhood. But Sawnee’s greatest art is the production of a sound like that of the hurdy gurdy and a sweet flute combined. This he accomplishes with the utmost ease, and gives any tune in his repertoire in fine style, and with the blending of the bass and tenor wonderful to hear.

(From the New York Tribune,)

This little fellow has a peculiar gift for music; he Sings, Dances, and Plays on the violin, and without the aid of artificial means imitates perfectly the soft sweet tones of the organ, blending the mellow bass with the clear flute-like sounds that characterize that instrument. These sounds come from the mouth without a motion of the lips, as though [illeg.] pipes, valves and keys were controlled by invisible fingers, in other words he is a living walking musical machine.

(From the Times,)

There is more fun in this little darkey than in half of the minstrel bands in the country. Go and witness the entertainment.

(From the Brooklyn Eagle,)

Sawnee is what might be called a Musical Wonder, possessing ventriloquial powers of a very extraordinary character producing tones similar to the mute stop on an organ, keeping up bass and tenor at the same time. He also plays the violin and sings, and dances in a regular Old Virginia style.

$1000

is wagered that his counterpart cannot be found in the world.

After travelling a short time in this country he will proceed to Europe.”

Advertisement: New-York Times, 10 December 1863, 9.

“Concert Extraordinary. That Juvenile Wonder of the Age, Sawnee, The Contraband, A Genuine, No Burnt Cork, whose remarkable adventures and ultimate escape with Gen. Banks from Virginia is a matter of history, and whose imitative powers has gained for him the appelation of the ‘Human Organ,’ for the control which he has over his voice, will have the honor of giving his first entertainment as above . . . on which he will be assisted by his late companion in bondage, the eccentric Georgia John, The Distinguished Violinst, who escaped from the rebel army at the battle of Antietam. Professor Roberts will be in attendance, and at the conclusion of the Contraband entertainment, will administer his Laughing Gas to such of the audience as wish to partake of it, or witness its pleasing effects upon others.”