Five Photographs of Carmencita Romero’s “Pagan Drums” Revue.
Chicago, Illinois: Maurice Seymour, 1947. Five photographs measuring 8 x 10 inches. Fine contrast, Near Fine. Item #List3608
Maurice Seymour was the photographic studio of Russian immigrant brothers Maurice (1900–1993) and Seymour Zeldman (1902–1995), known for their ballet photography and for shooting celebrity subjects from Nina Simone to Judy Garland. Offered here are five photographs taken by Maurice Seymor of Carmencita Romero and her West Indian Dancers, promoting the troupe’s “Pagan Drums” revue. Romero (1914–2001), born Lily Butler, had been a student of dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist Katherine Dunham, who suggested the change of name.[1] Her style was influenced by Dunham’s studies in the Caribbean; after performing in Cabin in the Sky and Carmen Jones in New York, she returned to Chicago and opened her own dance school.
The photographs show the dancers posing in elaborate costumes, including a leopard suit and a coffee carafe hat; a review describes the show as “the rhythms of gay tropical Cuba and South America” with “the artistic story-telling of modern ballet”.[2] The show featured Jon Lei, an early faculty member of Indianapolis’ McArthur Conservatory of Music, opened in 1946 by Tuskegee alum Ruth McArthur. Lei taught African, Latin, and Caribbean dance. The school was the first in Indiana to offer formal courses in jazz.
Of interest to historians of Black dance and performance in the midcentury.
[1] Jennifer Dunning, “Carmencita Romero, 87, Dancer, Choreographer and Film Actress,” The New York Times, May 19, 2001, B7.
[2] “Carmencita at Kimball Hall,” The Chicago Defender, May 17, 1947, 30.
Price: $450.00