A Sampling Of Early Black Jugglers

George Rowland: Probably the best known, most successful black juggler, and one of the earliest; he was one of the first "dressed up" tramp jugglers, playing the circuits in the early decades of this century.

 

Thatcher, Primrose, and West: included baton twirling in their act.

 

"The Great English:" Hoop roller, popular around 1910.

 

The Billy Kersard Colored Minstrels: employed a juggler of balls, hats, cigars, and plates.

 

Will Cook: toured with the Black Patti Colored Musical Comedy Co.

 

Albert Drew: juggler and wire walker with the A.G. Allen Colored Minstrels.

 

Arthur Prince: Club and hoop juggler with the Huntington Colored Minstrels.

 

Coy Herndon and Silas Greer: With the New Orleans Colored Musical Comedy troupe. Herndon was reported to be one of the best hoop rollers ever.

 

Purl Moppir: Hoop juggler.

 

Willie Edwards: Not only a juggler but a wire walker and animal trainer.

 

Pee Wee Williams: Juggler and song and dance man.

 

John Pamplin: toured with several black shows and the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show in 1929. He worked in devil makeup, juggled clubs, balls, and "blocks." His finale was balancing a revolving table on a pole balanced on his chin.

 

Eddie Ellis: A club and ball juggler from the forties.

 

"Jerge-Abab, the Ethiopian Entertainer:" A cigar box manipulator of the thirties.

 

Harry Crayton: Hoop juggler from the forties.