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.
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...
3 comments:
I was a piano student of Princess Whitecloud's at Werliens from 1974-1978. She was great! She had me meorize Warsaw Concerto (15 pages) for my recital one year. I also played a duet of America the Beautiful with some other young man. Played All Hail the Power and Church in th Wildwood with some other of her students during that recital. Wish I knew who they were. Her dog, Fifi, used to growl at me when I would play a wrong note during my lessons with Princess.
I have unraveled the fiction that was "Princess Whitecloud". The real name of "Princess Whitecloud" is Magdalena Hauff. I have the documentation to prove it. I work for the Local History & Genealogy Department of Biloxi Public Library. Her life was well traveled and full of mystery.
I'll make up a Wikipedia article for her.
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