Wesley Peoples
Wesley Peoples was born in 1914 in San Francisco; his father, also Wesley, was born in Illinois while his mother, Bertha, was California-born. He is described as a musician in the 1933 San Francisco City Directory - he was with Allen’s Hot Chocolates in February as is shown by a report in the San Francisco Spokesman 16 February 1933: ‘Early Sunday morning some sneak thief broke the glass of Wesley People’s car and stole several instruments belonging to members of Allen's Hot Chocolates. Among the loot reported were saxophones of Elmer Claiborne and Peoples and Al Levy’s banjo.’ In the same year we get the first reference to him as a band leader. The San Francisco Spokesman May 25 reported that Wesley Peoples and his San Francisco syncopaters were to play for a dance. On October 19 the same paper said that he had ‘a snappy bunch playing with him at the Jungle Cafe on Market Street. Eddie Liggens [piano] and Elmer Claiborne [sax], ex-Hot Chocolates, are an asset to any band. I hope the boys can hold out against opposition thrown up on account of union troubles’ (1) They were still there in November, appearing in an ad for a dance at the beautiful Hollywood Jungle (Spokesman 16 November).
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A report of the affair in the Spokesman on 23 November said that ‘The jazz dispensers, headed by Wes Peoples, dished up the type of music that pleased the mixed crowd. The nucleus of the organization I found to be two former members of Allen’s Hot Chocolates, Eddie Liggens on the ivories and Elmer Claiborne at the sax. The rest of the band are youngsters who may go far if they stick together.’ On 15 February 1935 the Spokesman reported that ‘Louie Paranete . . has Lou Purcells’ famous old place on Pacific Street . . .with Duke People’s band. In the latter is Country Allen, Elmer Claiborne, Melvin Parks, Young Barfield and Wes Peoples.’ An ad for a dance in the Spokesman of 1 March 1934 credited ‘Wes People’s and His Jungle Kings of Purcell’s and Hollywood Jungle fame, featuring Blue Skies.’ Also featured was his sister Neva who ‘will Thrill you with the latest songs.’
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An announcement of a dance in the 10 January issue of New World Daily News describes Peoples’ band as ‘colored syncopators from Topsy’s Roost’ (on which see https://www.sfgate.com/sfhistory/article/playland-topsys-roost-restaurant-whitney-bros-15943370.php). The Napa Valley Register 15 February 1935, in an announcement of a forthcoming dance in Calistoga, had an interesting comment: ‘The big feature of the evening will be the music featured by Wes Peoples and his “Jungle Kings,” a famous colored orchestra. Colored orchestras always have a certain class that seems to insure music that lifts the crowd with exuberance, and this outfit is no exception. Besides the talented musicians, this outfit also boasts of several talented entertainers, who have arepertoire which runs from the old standard favorite, “St. Louis Blues,” to the more recent “Hit Cha” numbers.’ An ad for a dance in Redwood City (Redwood City Tribune 14 November 1935) says ‘Music by Wesley Peoples and his Singing Negro Orchestra. Formerly of Purcell’s San Francisco and Louie Parenti’s Summer Resort at El Verano.’
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Various ads for dances in 1936-7 have been found and on 29 September 1937 the Corning Daily Observer announced that a revue called “Plantation Follies” was to be presented at the State Theatre on 30 September 30 and 1 October. This was a touring company but it clearly recruited local artists since it included ‘Neva Peoples, known as the Dark Angel of Songs . . and Wesley Peoples in Swing Music.’ Other performances in 1938 are recorded in various newspapers - the only ones worth quoting are from the New World-Sun 22 January which commented that ‘These syncopators have proven themselves popular in numerous engagements at summer resorts, hotels, and theatres throughout the state’ and the Times (San Mateo) 16 March which announced that ‘An all-colored orchestra will furnish the dance music with Les Williams, popular S. M. J. C. student as leader. He will feature Helen Cox, vocalist, who recently won the California Hour, KFC; Wes Peoples, pianist; Ike (2) Porter, trumpet player; and Vernon Ally, bass fiddler.’ Presumably this was Peoples’ band and the student was allowed to pretend to be the leader.
Wesley Peoples died on 1 February 1939, aged only 25.
John Chilton, Who’s Who of Jazz (1985) p 263: Jake Porter ‘joined Wesley Peoples’ Band in 1934’
Jim Goggin, Earl Watkins: The Life of a Jazz Drummer (2005) p. 1: ‘The first drum set he [Watkins] played on belonged to Eddie Alley who was scheduled to play with Wesley Peoples at a WPA sponsored dance. When Eddie couldn’t make it young Earl jumped at the opportunity and employed some beats he had learned by watching Eddie Alley. The dance was held at the Booker T. Washington Community Center . . ‘
San Francisco Chronicle 15 July 1950: ‘At the end of the junior college term [probably 1934] {Vernon] Alley decided to go at his music full time: it was a decision based on money, which Vernon needed. Wesley Peoples wanted a bass player and he was willing to pay $90 a week - big money. Alley stayed with Peoples until Saunders King formed a ten-piece band and asked Vernon to join him.’
Opal Louis Nations, liner notes to Ace CDCHD 865:’In October 1938 . . [Johnny A.] Burton produced a powerhouse band called the Aristocrats of Swing that included Saunders King. The leader of the Aristocrats was cornetist/trumpeter Vernon “Jake” Porter . . At times the line-up included pianist Wesley Peoples . . .’ Since Peoples died in February 1939 his contribution to the Aristocrats must have been marginal.
(1) 'Despite the efforts of both Musician and Waiters Unions to "clean out the dark folks" at the Hollywood Jungle Club, Wes Peoples and his band continue to hold sway while his sister Neva still has the floor show . . . . According to reports, the o'fays claim they don't mind Negro entertainers and waiters in local cafes, but not on Market Street' (San Francisco Spokesman 12 October 1933).
(2) I suspect this may have been Jake Porter.