PRINCESS WHITECLOUD 

2020....  REVISITED ...

More clippings and info on the Princess.   Clearly she was a true showman (or should I say show woman?) - the likes of whom would have given Liberace a run for his money!

She knew how to dress, how to speak, walk and above all play that grand Hammond Organ in the window of the Werlein's at Edgewater Mall, Gulfport, Mississippi -

Be sure you open the various comments from readers in this blog - I see where someone researched  the old gal, and proposed a WIKIPEDIA article (which doesn't appear to have materialized.)

Here is the latest in my scrapbook of memories of a lady who was a consummate entertainer.

As always, double clicking on a pic enlarges it.

First, an advertisement from a  1944 Billboard music year book, page 315.

Enlargement from above - Princess Whitecloud -- Singing Sweetheart of the Sioux.

The Rendezvous Lounge address is in Alexandria I.A  (Louisiana). There's a Rendezvous Lounge still there today - according to Google.  I wonder.....

She was a feature performer in a circus wild west show -- note the attribution "first cousin of Will Rogers"!

 And finally, an unusual piece about her program for the National Women's Security Corps.- Note her billing as a "princess of the Sioux Indians.".

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National Security Women’s Corps Is

Seeking Members

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Indian Princess to Give Program at Initial Meeting Tomorrow.

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Recruiting of women for South side unit of the National Security Women’s corps, a nation-wide volunteer organization, will begin at a meeting at 8 pm tomorrow in the Hamilton park fieldhouse 72^nd St and Normal Blvd.  The corps is a semi-military organization that trains patriotic women interested in aiding the war effort.

Entertainment as well as information will be provided at the initial meeting. Neioma Whitecloud, princess of the Sioux Indians, will interpret the habits and customs of her people in a program of Indian music.  A lecturer as well as a musician, Miss Whitecloud has prepared in addition a special talk, “The American Indian in the Service Today.”

Princess Whitecloud is employed by the federal government in Chicago at the present time.  During a recent tour of the country, she sang at the Indian reservation at St. Michael, Aria, was a guest of the Hobby Lobby radio program and presented a program of Indian melodies at the Sportsman’s show held here last April. She introduced an original composition, “Hopi Indian Slumber Song” at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. two years ago when she was guest of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

For her musical selection, Miss Whitecloud has selected the “Sun Salutation,” a Tlingit tribal melody that she arranged, “By the Waters of Minnetonka,” by Lieurance, and a Cadman composition, “From the Land of the Sky Blue Water.”

Prospective Southtown recruits for the corps will be greeted by Lt. Betty Krone, Chicago division commander.  The purpose of the corps will be explained by Lauraine Radike, 7259 Harvard ae., who has been selected to head the new Hamilton park unit.

Volunteers are divided into two groups, the juniors, 14 to 17 year old, and the seniors, 18 to 35 years old.  Membership requirements are American citizenship and a physician’s certificate of health.  Dues are not charged by the corps, but there is a fee for each class taught.  Members must provide themselves with the steel blue uniform of the corps.

Beginning with the first meeting tomorrow, the Hamilton park unit will meet every Thursday thereafter in the park fieldhouse.

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Back to the Cafe KoKo - Biloxi, Mississippi
This snapshot taken in 1967 ... Princess is performing under a mirror overhead - tilted so the audience can see her keyboard - the postcards along the edge are from admirers all over the world!  It was a relaxing time - no heavy disco - no rock and roll - just the Princess playing old standards ranging from Waiting on the Robert E. Lee to the popular join-in Alexis from Texas the Prairie Fairy. 

In 1969, Hurricane Camile came through and wiped out the KoKo.  The morning before the storm landed a crew of able bodied admirers descended on the KoKo and helped clear it of anything that was not tied down - Including Princess's beloved Hammond Organ. 

NEW!  NEW!  NEW

All the tracks on Princess' record:   The Sounds of Princess Whitecloud

New photos of Princess - at the Cafe KoKo and teaching at Werlein's at the Edgewater Mall, Biloxi, MS

WHO WAS PRINCESS WHITECLOUD ?

Click on image to enlarge

Well let's see:

... she was a wife, a mother, a musician, a teacher, a showman, and a tireless performer at Biloxi’s Café KOKO. Every week, six nights a week (never on Sunday) she performed at her own personal Hammond Organ - running through two hour sets and taking on every request INCLUDING all the college fight songs! With her little Chihuahua, Fifi, by her side she entertained till the wee hours of the morning, and was never late to give a voice or instrument lesson the next day. During Mardi Gras, she appeared in the afternoon parades seated on the back of an open convertible wearing a trailing feathered Indian headdress and a sequined and beaded Indian dress that was almost blinding in the afternoon sun. Behind her followed the Biloxi Indians High School Marching Band in full Indian warrior regalia. Oh, did I say she was a showman?
I've not been able to find much info about her, other than the liner notes of her vinyl record SOUNDS OF PRINCESS WHITECLOUD. Oh, yes, my old piano teacher, Lawrence Oden, who knew her professionally, verified her background and added she was also an official traveling diplomat for the US government State Department.
Perhaps this will reach someone who can add more to the history of this fascinating woman. For now, friends, here is the album cover and the notes.
I’ve also included a file link to all of the songs recorded on this album. It’s an interesting album that not only gives you a flavor for the type of musician she was, but if you listen carefully, you'll hear her speaking to the sound engineer while playing. (maybe editing wasn’t included in her recording session…)

The Sounds of Princess Whitecloud

Princess Neioma Whitecloud began her career in music at the age of 11, under the tutelage of her gifted mother, a French-German singer and a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Her father was George Whitecloud, a missionary and council chief of the Oglala Sioux.

She began as a church organist and at 17 was playing a four-manual Wurlitzer at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, accompanying silent films.

As a young woman, she was awarded the title of "Princess" in recognition of her efforts in obtaining a water supply system on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

For eight years, she studied in Europe at the Darmstadt and Frankfurt Konservatoriums of Musik and for two years with Mme. Lina Cavallieri at the La Scala Opera in Milan. On her return to the United States, she resumed studies at Julliard in New York; Sherwood in Chicago and Rutgers University in New Jersey. Her keyboard technique was further developed in association with the great Jesse Crawford. Returning to Europe, she was privileged to study with Dr. Hans Smejkal, organist of the Basillicus Cathedral in Vienna.

A linguist and world traveler, she has toured five continents and has been welcomed by world figures. Including the Mayor of Moscow and Jehan Sadat, wife of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt.

Professionally, her career has included appearances with the Glenn-Miller band and was featured organist far the grandstand attractions on the Southeastern Fair Association circuits, Shrine events and Sportsmen's Shows. As an outstanding organist-entertainer exclusively with M.C.A., she played hotels and supper clubs coast to coast. There were also guest performances with the Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York and in the Hollywood Bowl.

Along with occasional concert performances, she devotes considerable time to teaching organ, piano and voice in association with Werlein's for Music in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Now—enjoy Princess Whitecloud at her new Wurlitzer 950-TA,
CUSTOM RECORDED FOR PRINCESS WHITECLOUD BY INSOUND
RECORDS.

Engineering: Paul Elmore, Producer Bill Worrall
Recorded at: MCA Whitney Studies, Glendale, California
Tech Asst: Pat McVeigh, Jr. Biography Ken Brown
Photos: Truett Haire. Cover Art: Ed White Eagle Hauff



SIDE I
OVERTURE TO ZAMPA
Herold 8:17
TOCCATA IN D MINOR
Nevin 4:14
WALTZ IN D FLAT
Chopin 1:45
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Malotte 3:09


SIDE II

REDWING
Chattaway Mills 2:32

INDIAN LOVE CALL
Friml 4:00

LA DANZA
Rossini 1:58

CHINATOWN, MY CHINATOWN
Jerome Schwarz 2:56

Medley
ARE YOU FROM DIXIE
ALABAMA JUBILEE
Yellen
Cobb 2:40

MAPLE LEAF RAG
Joplin 1:45


SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Werlein’s for Music – New Orleans, La.
Werlein’s for Music - Biloxi, MS.
Henry Punzo, Manager
Bob Wegher, Wurlitzer Company
Goodman’s Music, Canoga Park, Calif.
Organ and Piano Center, Long Beach, Calif.

MUSIC FILES LINK HERE 2020
Rear Album cover...

Additional Information #1:

Googled, from the Message board at: http://www.circushistory.org

(Message #) 2098.

Princess Whitecloud, 05 Oct 2007 - During the 40s & 50s a flambouant organist toured with outdoor shows at fairs etc. under the stage name of "Princess Whitecloud." Reportedly a Sioux Indian, she was an excellent organist and showman who thrilled us on many occasions as kids both off and on the show circuit. Have pictures, but have misplaced her given name. Hopefully someone can help identify her further. [Also, a distant cousin show name "Cicero Clark" toured in the 30s-40s, reportedly with RBBB at one time. Respond with any info on him; last count, he did a vent act in the sideshow, I believe. Maybe some of the carnival folks remember him. Thanks in advance for your kind help! Charles Watkins, frcharles44@msn.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.]

Reply: 07 Jan 2008 - I actually was a piano student of Princess Whitecloud, at Werlien's music store, in Biloxi, Mississippi. She was exceptional - jazz/blues was her background, as she played in Pete Fountain's band. She called me her prized child prodigy - I was 6, and she was a little upset when she found out that after my lesson was over with her - I had another lesson with a flute instructor. " Can't serve two masters, she used to say". LOL She was a woman that inspired me musically and creatively. God bless you, Princess Whitecloud. PS - she actually wore her formal Indian attire, head gear and all, and was a true native American, and was never seen out of her Princess clothes, de cored with diamonds and elegance! BlondeTraceLacey@aol.com

Reply: 13 Jan 2008 - I have additional information about Princess Whitecloud - She was under the management of Bert Gervis, 203 Wabash Ave, Chicago. I have a vintage black and white poster with her "Singing Sweetheart of the Sioux" playing at Rendezvous Lounge, Alexandria, LA. The above poster and information are courtesy of The Billboard 1944 Music Year Book, page 315. I received this poster from a collector of musicians of that era via E-Bay- and purchased the poster. I hope this helps. Again, she was an exceptional musician as well as a human being. RIP, Princess Whitecloud. BlondeTraceLacey@aol.com

Reply: 23 Jun 2008 - New information: I have a record album of Princess Whitecloud - recorded when she worked at Werleins in Biloxi, Mississippi. The style is clearly American Indian, and the artist was "Ed White EagleHauff" - as best as I can decipher it. I noted that Mr. Hauff's name was on a "looking for" list of New Orleans residents displaced by Katrina. See http://edward-hauff.katrina.aidpage.com/.

Here is most of the text: posted on on Sep 15, 2005
EDWARD HAUFF Mother's Name: PRINCESS WHITECLOUD Father's Name: HAROLD JOSEPH ESTOPINAL Sex: M Date of Birth: 1.1.1937 (Approximate) Place of Birth: DENVER, COLORADO The person sought is my: Friend (Male) Author Full Name: HAROLD J. ESTOPINAL Author City and State of Residence before the disaster: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Author Mother's Name: OCTAVIA ROSE ESTOPINAL Street+No/Camp - Line 1 Street+No/Camp - Line 2 Street+No/Camp - Line 3: 404 DAFFODIL COURT Location: FRANKLIN, TN

Although I never knew her personally, I knew of her fame on the Gulf Coast. I can still see her riding in a convertible down (what is now) Fred Hayes Bldv - decked out in full war bonnet headdress, and a white rhinestone encrusted "buckskin" dress. She rode ahead of the Biloxi High School Indians marching band.