A Métis Jazz Band: The Crescent Lake Rascals
This picture of our Métis School band, shown below, was taken against the north wall of Allary School in 1953. After an encouraging visit from Premier Tommy Douglas, we started to learn to play the instruments and read music in the fall of 1951.
Our dress code was a white shirt, black trousers and maroon bow ties, for the boys, and a white shirt and black skirt for the girls. Our teacher and mentor, John Hirsch, would buy a sheet of music for the piano, and we would have to copy every note on blank staff. For me, playing melody, it was three notes lower than the piano music. I do not know how the others copied their music, as I had my hands full with mine.
We played Big Band music, such as "In the Good Old Summertime," "Who's Sorry Now," "Side By Side," "Five Foot Two," "In The Mood," "Dark Town Strutters' Ball," and many more.
Jazz Band at Crescent Lake School. Dorothy Azure on piano, Dorothy Delorme on banjo, Joe Flamont on accordion, Alex Pelletier on drums, Lionel McKenzie on "B" Flat Tenor Saxophone, Delmar Delorme on "E" Flat Alto Saxo phone, and Wilmar Shingoose playing melody on the "E" Flat Saxophone. Photo courtesy of the author.
In the band were: Dorothy Azure on piano, Dorothy Delorme on banjo, Joe Flamont on accordion, Alex Pelletier on drums, Lionel McKenzie on "B" Flat Tenor Saxophone, Delmar Delorme on "E" Flat Alto Saxo phone, and myself playing melody on the "E" Flat Saxophone. Joe and I went harvesting to buy our instruments - my sax cost $100. Also in the band were Rose Azure, who played piano and banjo, and Philip Langan on drums. Rose and Philip left the band to go to work. The banjo and drums were donated by the local Ladies Auxiliary.
All the players in this picture were Métis students of Allary School, which was located south of Yorkton. At the time of the picture, Joe, Delmar, and I were sixteen years old. The two Dorothys and Lionel were fifteen, and Alex was fourteen. Also joining the band from time to time were two young musicians from neighbouring communities. They were Eddie Beck on the accordion and Henry Napora on banjo.
Orchestra singers from Crescent Lake School, likely in Yorkton, ca. 1954. From left: Mary (Shingoose) Pelletier (author’s sister), Connie Allary (author’s cousin), Isadore “Buck” Shingoose (author’s brother), Yvonne Pelletier; teacher John Hirsch (back to audience), Phillip Langan (bow tie, standing behind the drummer), Lionel McKenzie (bow tie, right of Phillip), Joe Flamont (on accordion), Dorothy Azure (standing, black hat), Dorothy Delorme, Claude Langan (brother to Phillip), Eula Pelletier (sister to Yvonne). Photo courtesy of Gabriel Dumont Institute/Nancy Leake.
We played for dances and other functions in the area, being asked to return many, many times. The band was paid $4.00 a night to entertain. One of our biggest concerts was the Farmer's Bonspiel in Yorkton. We even traveled as far away as Willow Bunch to perform.
Crescent Lake School choir or square dance group at Yorkton Music Festival, ca. 1950s. From left: John Hirsch, teacher; Dorothy Azure, Alex Pelletier, Ralph Azure (back), Linda Brazeau, Bruce Flamont, Rose Henry, Lester Shingoose (author’s brother), Mary (Shingoose) Pelletier (author’s sister), Roy Brazeau (brother to Linda), Eula Pelletier, Isadore “Buck” Shingoose (author’s brother), Claude Langan. Claude was the square dance caller, Dorothy Azure played piano, Ralph Azure played guitar, and Alex Pelletier played drums. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Dumont Institute/Nancy Leake.
This story shows what a bit of compassion and consideration can do for a community that was downtrodden many times. As I am writing this, we have lost Joe, Alex and Lionel - all too young, but great guys who are not forgotten.
This article is in memory of our "Crescent Lake Métis Community," for all who lived there and sacrificed so much for us to have a better life.
Wilmar Shingoose.
WILMAR SHINGOOSE and his wife, Ruth, currently live in Lethbridge. They have two sets of twins; two boys, two girls, all very successful. Mr. Shingoose has retired after 35 years of driving long distance truck. He also drove in the ‘Ben Hur Chariot’ category in Chuckwagon racing.
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