In Sarasota newspapers of the late 60s and early 70s, advertisements appeared hawking some sand-dune chanteuse called Mitzi Joyce as performing at a delightfully seedy-sounding joint called the Five O'Clock Club. Mitzi was a pianist, organist, accordionist and vocalist all in one, and definitely sounds like an act worth catching. The ad copy, in the style of those Mad Men times, declares her "The little redhead with big talent". Me, I like to think that after she had a few gin rickeys in her, if you called her that to her face, she'd hit you with the microphone.
I have tried to learn more about MJ, but the internets are failing me at every turn. I found a few potentially promising leads, but nothing I can report on just now. Once tantalyzing nugget was a blurb from a 1982 circus magazine that, couched among notices for "Darrell's Mule" and "Norbo, the Almost Human Gorilla", describes the lineup for the Coronas Circus as:
Jon Friday, ringmaster; Joe Nappa, Mitzi Joyce, musicians; Bounding Kays, trampoline; Edwardo Trio, bikes; Ruwills, plate spin; Arturo Rescigno; Janie Coronas, dogs; Wallenda Duo, wire; Tangiers, tumblers; George Hanneford family, riders; Swaying Stars; others.
It astounds me that an active musical performer in a major city could leave such a faint echo of a digital trace in the age of the Internet. I suppose finding actual Super-8 film footage of her playing accordion at the Five O'Clock Club is too much to ask?
She taught me how to play organ in the early 90's. She was one of the most wonderful people I've been fortunate enough to have met. I miss her. Yes, she would have hit you with her microphone. :)
ReplyDeleteShe taught me how to play organ in the early 90's. She was one of the most wonderful people I've been fortunate enough to have met. I miss her. Yes, she would have hit you with her microphone. :)
ReplyDeleteIn the 40's she toured the world and entertained the troops with the likes of Dean Martin. Connie Stevens loved her like a step mom.
ReplyDeleteMitzi was my great aunt and one of the handful of people I have ever met (although briefly) that completely captured my imagination. She passed away in 1997.
ReplyDeleteMitzi Joyce was my grandfather's sister. Her real name is Mary Dorthy Bennett. She toured with a Trio, two men and herself, across America but I don't know the name of the trio. She sang in Columbus , Ohio at the Neil House and Southern Hotel. I visited her in Sarasota in 1973 and she sang there at the Holiday Inn. Her favorite closing song was My Way. I was advised by her to sing and have sang with Vaud-Villties for 31 years. Will be performing on Dec 2-4 at Ohio Dominican University. I loved Aunt Mitzi dearly.
ReplyDeleteMy dad, Bill Whitney, was in a trio that played in the bar at Trader Jacks. He was the drummer, Mitzy Joyce was on organ and I believe the trumpet man was Bob Merick but don’t quote me on that!
ReplyDeleteThey had a great time. I remember they dressed up for Halloween and Mitzy dressed as a teenager and used fake pimples on her face!
My dad had a drum routine/solo, where he would don a full face gorilla mask and go to if I. The drums like he was a wild gorilla from the jungle!
I used to sing in the bar with my dad and the trio backing us. I was between 8 or 10 years old. “Penny’s from Heaven” was my our song! This would have been 1967-1969 ish.
My mom worked at the gift shop across the street which I think was part of Trader Jacks as well!