[ The Royal Ambassadors ]
Currently no information available.
A ten man group of black musicians out of Cleveland, Ohio, that later (ca. 1926) played in Canada. They established themselves in the village of Iroquois, Ontario, on the St. Lawrence River not far from the Quebec border.

From this base of operations, they toured the small towns of southeastern Ontario, playing dance music at gigs lined up for them by their Winchester, Ont. based booking agent. A young J.C. Higginbotham played trombone with the band for seven months, in 1926.

But this band is best recalled because a young Myron Sutton played sax. "Mynie" later left, and became one of the best known 'Black' swing bands in Montreal and Canada. He called his band the "Canadian Ambassadors".

      [ Art Harmony Seven ]
Currently no information available.

      [ Michael Angelo and His Jolly Gondoliers ]
b: Dec, 16, 1888, Catania, Sicily, Italy, d: March 5, 1945
Instruments: Violin and trumpet
né: Michael Francis D'Angelo
Currently no information available.
It is thought that he came to Toronto, Canada via New York City, when he arrived in the 'new world' as a member of Giuseppi Creatore's Brass Band. "Professor" Michael Angelo was quite active in Toronto and Barrie during the 1920s - '30s, and probably 'filled in' with the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. It is possible that he also played in one of the Romanelli bands. He was active as a music instructor, and is thought to have taught Johnny Lombardi at one time. It was as an instructor that he came by the nickname of "Professor". At least a couple of times, his orchestra played at the opening ceremonies of the Canadian National Exposition.
The Big Bands Database Plus thanks Mr. Michael Angelo, for this information on his grandfather.

      [ Richard Avonde Orch ], 40's
b. May 22, 1914, Hamilton Ontario, Canada, d. January 24, 1981, Van Nuys, California, USA. (complications due to a heart condidtion)
When Richard Avonde's band played the Brant Inn in 1941, it had Denny Vaughan on Piano and Jack Kane on Sax. Both were to go on to further fame. Kane to lead his own band, and Denny, well, read our bio on him. However, with the end of the Big Bands Era, many musicians drifted into other professions. Avonde began a second career in films.

He went on to appear in about 50 films and TV shows, including a great many Westerns, with such examples as:
       1950   "Captain Carey", U.S.A. (aka 'After Midnight' -UK/Canada title)
       1951   "Oklahoma Justice" - (he was uncredited)
       1951   "Lawless Cowboys"
       1952   "Waco"
       1952   "The Gunman"
       1952   "Wild Horse Ambush"
       1952   "Outlaw Women" - (aka: 'Boot Hill Mamas' in the USA video title)
       1952   "Dead Man's Trail"
       1953   "The Range Rider" - (the 'Two-Fisted Justice' TV Episode)
       1960   "Tales of Wells Fargo" - (the "Kid Brother" TV Episode)
       1958   "The Female Animal" - (uncredited)
       1957   "The Gale Storm Show" - (the "Aladdin's Lamp" TV Episode)
       1957   "Looking for Danger"
       1957   "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" ( "The Vultures" TV Episode)
and 40 or so other cowboy films and TV shows. He was also heard in such radio shows as "The Lone Ranger". "The Lone Wolf", "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok", "The Adventures of Jim Bowie", "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin", "The Cisco Kid", "Death Valley Days", "Hopalong Cassidy", and "The Roy Rogers Show", among others.

In private correspondence, Mr. Don Lowes has recalled that:
       "Ricard Avonde born in Hamilton Ontario, Canada went on to become a
       featured movie actor in a number of Hollywood westerns. The highlight
       of his career came when he starred in a war movie called "After Midnight"
       circa 1946." (actually 1950 - ed) next toA lan Ladd (b. Sept. 3, 1913,
       Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, d. Jan. 29, 1964, Palm Springs, CA, USA.
       -acute overdose of alcohol and sedatives) and Wanda Hendrix (b. Nov.
       3, 1928, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, d. Feb. 1, 1981, Burbank, CA, USA.
       (pneumonia)

Mr. Lowes continued:
       "Alan Ladd apogized to Richard for cutting him out of a number of scenes.
       According to Richard, Ladd told him that he stole the scenes with his
       good looks. Ladd asured him that his time would come. Ricard often came
       up against Cornel Wilde for feature parts.
       Richard alway said that Cornel was great at the politics of winning parts."

       "Richard passed away in Van Nuys California from a heart condidtion in the
       early 1970's. At the time of his death he was building an upscale
       health spa"