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.
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6 comments:
I was born in Biloxi and played the organ myself at the Fiesta, The Friendship House, the Creole Room, the San Beach Steak Inn and others.
I was a friend of Princess Whitecloud. I visited her many times in her mobile home behind the San Beach Steak Inn.
She was a very lovely person and very literate. She was fun to be with. I also knew her son Eddie White Eagle Hauff and his wife. He did the art work for her vinyl album, "The Sounds of Princess Whitecloud." I have googled his name and never came up with anything. I lost her album and a lot of other things in a fire.
I'm glad that there is this site so she can be remembered! Danny Holley DanHolley@aol.com
Princess Whitecloud was my voice teacher in the 1970s. She was warm and caring, but also a strict task master. I learned much from her, not just about music, and am glad to see you are collecting these memories.
You may already know that there is a bio for her on page 298 of the 1944 Billboard Music Yearbook. Thank you for doing this! I hope you compile all that you find into a book about her, she deserves to be remembered. Let me know if you do!
I bought Princess's Hammond C2 and two Leslies from her. It must have been late 70's I foolishly sold it after many years of use, when the digital units became available. I still remember her and her son on a trap kit performing in the aisles in from of Werlien's Music at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. I still playing full time, but that was my first real Hammond! If that Hammond could talk it would tell some tales I would not want everyone to hear (-:
I'm Donna Kotsakos I am a Piano & Voice Teacher in Edgewater Mall. I am in the same spot as my adored teacher Princess WHITECLOUD I adored her. She is the reason I am where I am today. I will always love her. I have many stories for later.
Thanks so much for these music files, photos and other info. Princess Whitecloud taught me piano at Werlein's around 1977-78. I didn't study with her long, but she is certainly someone I will never forget!
My dad was Bert Gervis referred to as Princess Whitecloud's booking agent and/or manager. I also have a copy of the 1944 Billboard magazine referred to. My dad has passed, but my mom is still alive in case anyone wants me to ask a question regarding Princess' Whitecloud.
Gavin Gervis
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