The Black family of New Zealand

The Black family, also known as the Musical All Blacks of Maori Land, with their musical instruments. Ref: 1/2-022435-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23228761

Black family “The Musical All Blacks”

1883 Marriage of Mary Ann Vaughan and John Black.

1901 In the Otago Witness of the 3rd July 1901 there is a mention of the Black family orchestra played for the guests at an event for the visiting Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

Evening Star 5th June 1901

1901 In the Evening Star on the 15th July 1901 there is a mention of the Black family playing an overture at a social and dance for the returning troopers from South Africa.

Southland Times 26th July 1901

1901 Andrew Black, father of John Black died on the 24th July 1901. He was a music teacher. He is buried in the East Invercargill Cemetery. The gravestone notes that he was the grandfather of the Black family of musicians and that the gravestone was erected by his sons. In the death notice in the Evening Star of the 30th July 1901 it states that Andrew Black was a native of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, he was 83 years old and he was late of Nelson. The Otago Witness of the 31st July 1901 states that ‘there passed away on Wednesday morning, 24th July, a kindly old man who has been for the past 17 years a conspicuous though unobtrusive figure in the streets of Invercargill, and at musical assemblages. From his earliest years he was an enthusiastic lover of music and a diligent student. For a number of years he was precentor of the Church of Scotland in his native town and was also conductor of the Hamilton Choral Society. The family were all musical and known as such. He was the grandfather of the present family known as the Black Family of Musicians, the children of his third son, John. When Mr Curwen brought out his tonic sol-fa system of notation Mr Black, then a young man, took up the system, and was one of the first certified teachers of it. The family decided upon coming to New Zealand and landed in Nelson from the Wild Duck in 1866. Two years thereafter Mrs Black died. Ther family remained in Nelson for a number of years, the father following the profession of music teacher. The flute was his first instrument, when he was a lad, but he acquired proficiency on several others afterwards, among them the violin and organ. About 20 years ago the family moved again, coming to Southland and setting up their home first in Riverton where they remained for three years and then came up to Invercargill. The old man’s favourite instrument for a good many of his later years was the bass clarinet. He took to his bed last Thursday and after his death there was found in his desk three pages of a letter written that day to an aged sister in Glasgow. There was close bond between the old man and his son, John. He was a man remarkable for quiet demeanour and had lived all through life of rare simplicity and blamelessness. The City Band paid the deceased and his family the compliment of playing the “Dead March” at the funeral’.

1901 The following was inserted in the Western Star on the 25th July 1901 ‘ an old Southland resident and one well-known in musical circles in Invercargill, Mr Andrew Black, died yesterday morning at the advanced age of 82 years. The deceased gentleman was remarkably vigorous for his years, possessing all his faculties and as upright as one in his prime, until laid aside about a fortnight ago by the complaint, bronchitis, which carried him off. As a matter of fact it was his juvenile spirit and energy that were responsible for his contracting the complaint, as he went from Invercargill to Dunedin to witness the Duke of York celebrations. With one so advanced in years it was a risky thing to do in the depth of winter, and during a time of hard frost. The deceased arrived in New Zealand in 1866, taking up residence in Nelson, and after living there for 10 years came to Southland. For a time, he resided in Riverton and Stewart Island, but for the last 17 years made Invercargill his home. He leaves a family of three sons (Mr D. Black Invercargill, Mr J. Black, father of the popular Black family, Mr G. Black of Orepuki and Mrs f. O. Irvine). Of the deceased gentleman, who was an enthusiastic musician and a man of genial nature and upright character, it can truly be said he left not a single enemy’.

1908 Doris Black, aged 15½ year old died in Perth, Australia on the 8th May 1908. Her gravestone states that she is the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Black, “The All Blacks of NZ”. She is buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery.

1908 The Auckland Star dated the 16th May 1908 states that ‘The ‘Musical All Blacks’ (of Maoriland) are touring Western Australia. “Business still keeps up, and we are having a big time through this State”, writes John Black.

From personal ephemera collection.

1909 The Southland Times of the 24th October 1909 states that ‘Mr Irving Webb, tour manager for the Musical All Blacks Company arrived in Melbourne from W.A. on Saturday. Splendid business was done right through the tour, in many places the company establishing records. The season of eight months constitutes a record for W.A., being the longest successful run of any company that has visited the State, A short tour of North Gippsland is contemplated prior to the company giving another season in Melbourne after which it is probable they will visit India and the East’.

1909 The Evening Star of 6th October 1909 informs their readers that ‘the “Musical All Blacks” tour of New Zealand will last about six months, after which the lady members of the company retire into private life in Sydney. Mr John Black advises “We are bringing with us our own portable electric plant, which generates 10.000 candle-power, and also the latest invention in cinematography – natural colour moving pictures. Foremost among the films of that type we are brining is one entitled ‘The Trappers’, a genuinely thrilling story of love and hate. This is precisely our final trip through New Zealand and we can assure all intending patrons a bright and merry entertainment – up to date in every detail”.

1909 In the Southland Times dated 9th October 1909 it informs their readers that ‘Mr Webb, the company’s manager, states that Mr Black has just refused a handsome offer for a tour of South Africa but that at a later date he will probably consider favourably a visit to that country’.

1909 The Evening Star of Invercargill of the 1st November 1909 states ‘the programme is charming, its outstanding feature being a bright, attractive vivacity, and the easy yet confident touch of the performers illustrates the exceptional ability that has built up the reputation of the All Blacks. The performance is throughout clever, refined and dainty’.  The show opens with 35 minutes of electric pictures, followed by a musical programme of 75 minutes and ending with 45 minutes of pictures. One of the pictures is called “Rescued from an Eagle’s Nest” depicting the carrying away of a little child by an eagle in the Rocky mountains. The child is rescued by his father after ‘a fierce struggle on the side of a great precipice’. The All Black’s pictures are ‘noted for their wonderful clearness, brilliancy and their freedom from the objectionable flicking, being spoken of as far and away ahead of anything that has toured the States’.

1909 The Temuka Leader of the 9th November 1909 states the following ‘the company has been nearly four years absent from New Zealand in Australia and the South Seas. Mr Black looks as if life and he were on the very best terms. He is as energetic, as cheerful, and genial as ever, apparently takes a great interest in meeting old friends. The music as just fine, popular music, such as all classes could thoroughly enjoy. Miss Nellie Black, has grown into a beautiful young lady, is the star of the company. One of the animated picture shows was life on the Sacred Ganges and its banks. It is taken in the natural colours _ (one of the first cinematograph photos of the kind that has ever been taken), and the teeming human life on the craft of all kinds on the river, and the buildings and human life to be seen on the banks makes an indescribable picture. Mr Black announced that the lady members of the company intended to retire to private life when they reached Sydney, but his son and himself intended to organise another company and he hoped to again visit Temuka in two or three years time’.

1909 In the Otago Daily Times on the 9th November there is the following article ‘theirs is essentially music for the multitude, but it is good music, capitally played, and selected with an unerring comprehension of what the people would like to hear’ It complements the Black family regarding their interpretation of Sullivan’s music, of Gilbert and Sullivan. It discussed how the group forms an orchestra to play Sullivan’s music. It consists of Mrs Black at the piano, Mr John Black plays the cello, Mr Carroll is at the organ, Miss Elsie Black plays the flute and the rest of the group play violins. At the concert Nellie Black sung a song accompanied by the organ, cello and piano. Elsie and John Black play a flute and clarinet duet. Bert Black as a Troop Sergeant-Major of the Dragoons and Elsie Black as an army nurse perform a double dance. Nellie Black played several imitations on the violin – sounds of the farmyard and an organ.

1909 The Oamaru Mail dated 24th November has this to say about the ‘Musical All Blacks’ – ‘Miss Nellie Black might be characterised as the star performer of the company and to her much of its popularity is due. She has a pleasant voice of good quality and her violin playing places her on a plane far above the average, but it is not the Miss Nellie Black of old. Much singing, much playing and much travelling without consideration for the physical penalties have impaired the freshness of her voice and the pureness of her tone as a violinist. She is what she purports to be, an excellent entertainer, but it is to be regretted that she does not take full advantage of her possibilities. The company has added two entertainers to its list, Mr Herbert Carroll who has a good voice and the knack of telling a story and Mr Harry Spencer, whose speciality is comedy. Of course, a feature of the evening is the cornet playing of Mr Bert Black and a number of concerted items in which the family participate. Mr Black has obtained a cinematograph of more than usual excellence, which reproduces an interesting selection of films. Those shown last night depicted in lifelike form the remarkable feats of the Italian Cavalry and their clever mounts. An exciting dramatic scene was thrown on the screen and the entertainment was brought to a close with a faked film, depicting the vagaries of a railway train’.

1909 The Waimate Daily Advertiser dated the 29th November 1909 informs their readers that ‘On Friday night the Musical All Blacks played only one piece as an orchestra, and in the course of it the various players showed their versatility by handling at least two instruments each. Miss Nelliy’s violin playing is still excellent, though she has apparently lost all idea of ever being classed as a brilliant soloist. Sweetness is her forte. As a singer she has improved considerably, though her quality of tone is somewhat hard, and her pronunciation not perfect. All through their performance, it may be safe to say, the Blacks deliberately choose effective but easy music. It gives instant pleasure, and yet is no unnecessary taz upon an already very hard-worked organisation. The taking on of pictures may be regarded as a falling from grace, but the management probably find that all tastes have to be suited’. John Black, addressed a few words at the Oddfellow’s Hall concerning the need for the community to provide an up-to-date theatre. He considered that Waimate should have a theatre capable of seating 1000 – 1100 people.

1909 The Ashburton Herald of the 10th December 1909 tells of the Black family season of two nights in the city. The programme was divided into three parts, ‘the first and last being a display of animated pictures, shown with the aid of an electric light’. The article states that those present were able to ‘witness the result of the most recent achievements in cinematography’.  Some of the titles were “Life on board a ship” and “A Scene from Paris”. The members of the orchestra were able to play more than one instrument. Nellie Black is praised for her singing, there was duet between Elsie Black on the flute and her father on the clarinet, a duet with Nellie Black and Mr H Carroll, Nellie Black played a solo on the violin and there was a dance by Elise and Bert Black. Nellie Black is a contralto and also plays the mandolin, cello, piano and organ. Elsie Black plays the flute, mandolin, violin, guitar and piano as well as being a dancer. John Black plays the cello and clarinet and Mrs Black plays the piano. Bert Black plays the cornet and possibly the trombone. All of them could play the mandolin with the exception of Mrs Black.

Nelson Evening Mail 28th December 1909

1909 The Colonist dated 28th December 1909 tells of a concert the Black family gave in Nelson. It is similar to the Ashburton report telling of the first part of the programme consisting of a series of excellent cinematograph films. Some of the subjects were “Scenes on an Atlantic liner”, “New York City” and “Life in New Guinea”. There was an orchestral number by the orchestra and this showcased the family’s ability to play on more than on instrument. Miss Elsie and Mr John Black played a duet for flute and clarinet. Miss Nellie Black ‘gave a clever exhibition of trick violin playing and imitations of various musical instruments’. These imitations included the bagpipes, a church organ, a German concertina, a drunken man, and sounds familiar to farm yards. The following evening’s performance would contain a completely different programme.

1910 The Pelorus Guardian and Miners’ Advocate dated the 11th January 1910 has a review of a concert given by the Black family the previous Saturday evening. It informs their readers that ‘compared with the previous performance given on their previous visit a few years ago Saturday’s exhibition was poor – the musical items were few and of indifferent merit, the instrumental selections by the company being the best. The comic singing of one of the male artists was distinctly vulgar in parts. The pictures were placed on the screen in a better manner than has ever been seen here, and several of them were really splendid – that of “The Trappers” being the best ever shown in Havelock; but others again, were only moderately interesting. Trouble with the engine generating the electric light further complicated matters, and one left the hall with the impression that the entertainment of three years ago was incomparably more interesting and enjoyable than that just seen’.

1910 The West Coast Times of the 25th January 1910 says that ‘the company’s electric engine and dynamo is a gem of modern invention, and was recently imported from France at great cost. It may be remarked that the company has just finished a wonderfully successful tour of West Australia, where they ran for six months, a record for that part of the States, making a net profit of £2000. The above is considered the longest run of any company that has visited West Australia’.

1910 The New Zealand Times dated 15th February 1910 has some additional information concerning the Black family. The company has an electric engine and dynamo, it is ‘a gem of modern invention, and was recently imported from France’. Nellie Black made her first appearance at the age of 4½ years in Dunedin and the ‘papers then spoke of her as having a great future in the musical world’.

Evening Post 25th February 1910

1910 The Paihiatua Herald of the 12th March 1910 describes on the concerts where ‘the Black family dog, a huge and fearsome beast, vastly amused the audience during the performance of this item by vigorously worrying the business end of a hand-broom, several sizes larger than itself, undoubtedly an unrehearsed effect’.

1910 The Advocate dated March 15th 1910 has an article concerning a concert the “Musical All Blacks” gave in the Drill Hall in Dannevirke. It tells their readers that the company appeared in Dannevirke five years before and ‘the show has been wonderfully improved in that interval’. It states that Nellie Black is the star of the show, both as a singer and a violinist. Elsie Black plays the flute and Bert Black plays the cornet. Herbert Carroll provided ‘an entertaining turn with his musical sketch “Harmony Hall” and Miss Elsie and Mr Bert Black delighted the audience with a very taking dance. Mr Harry Spencer’s comic songs were much appreciated. Mr Black has a splendid electric plant, and the animated pictures shown before and after the musical items were easily amongst the best that have been exhibited in Dannevirke, and they certainly have not been excelled. Enough power was available to supply the current for the rows of electric bulbs, both at the side and top of the stage’.

1910 In the Wanganui Chronicle dated 2nd May 1910 it informs their readers that ‘there was a very large audience at the Opera House last evening when the Musical All Blacks gave a find sacred concert. As a result of the concert between £15 and £20 will be sent to Mrs Thompson, of Mangaonoho, whose benefit it was held. She had been left a widow with nine children. We are asking to thank the Black family for their generosity’.

1910 In the Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus dated 3rd May 1910 it states the following ‘as a result of the generous action of the Musical All Blacks in giving a sacred concert on Sunday evening, Mr George Murph was yesterday able to send to Mrs Thompson the sum of £18 1s. Beyond the Opera House charge and the expenses incurred by the Black family, no deduction was made from the takings at the concert, the local papers having advertised free. The Black family are deserving of much credit for the benevolent spirit manifested’.

1910 In the Northern Advocate of 2nd June 1910 Bert Black did not appear on the 1st June 1910.

1910 Again, in the Northern Advocate dated 4th June 1910 there was a request at one of the concerts for the ladies to remove their hats. At this point Mr Black stated that the Misses Black were retiring into private life if three weeks’ time.

1910 There is a note in the Waiararapa Times dated the 10th September 1910 stating that ‘the lady members of the successful All Blacks Company, have retired into private life at their own homw “Naumai”, Carr Street, Bay-road, North Sydney and are enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr John Black is on tour again in New South Wales with another company’.

1910 In the Mataura Ensign dated the 25th November it states that Miss Nellie Black, late of the musical “All Blacks” is part of the Norman Concert Company giving a performance at the Town Hall.

1914 In July 1914 Elsie Black is part of the orchestra on board the Karoola when it is travelling from Melbourne to Sydney.

1915 The Star dated 26th November 1915 has the following article ‘Miss Amy Murphy, who, with Miss Nellie Black, is appearing at the National Theatre Sydney, in a vocal and instrumental turn, was formerly a J.C. Williamson musical comedy actress and was brought from New Zealand by that management. Miss Black is a member of a well-known New Zealand musical family. Her father, herself and other members of the family, formed a touring concert party that was known as the Musical All Blacks. In Dunedin, when the Duke and Duchess of York (the present King and Queen) visited the town, three generations of the Black family – Miss Black’s grandfather, her mother and her sisters and brothers – played at a reception for the distinguished visitors. Miss Murphy is a daughter of Mrs Villiers Murphy, a well-known vaudeville artist’.

1918 The following article is in the Otago Witness on the 6th March 1918. ‘Misses Nellie and Elsie Black of the “Musical All Blacks” are at present playing in India with the Frederick Shipman Company. They played in Japan, and the paid return visits to Shanghai, HongKong and Canton. Then they visited Singapore and the Malay States, returning to Calcutta. Both are reported to be in excellent health and enjoying the tour’. And, in the Otago Witness dated the 19th June 1918 it states the following ‘a short note from Mr John Black, of the Musical All Blacks, with a press cutting indicates that his daughters Nellie and Elsie with Miss Hilda Felstead, a lady humourist, raconteur and vocalist are doing wonderful business in India. The trio filled the Calcutta Theatre nighty for three weeks, and appeared by command at Government House’.

1920 On the 5th June 1920 Bert, beloved only son of John and Mary Black dies in Sydney. He is buried with his father John Black.

1923 Marriage of Ellen (Nellie) Vaughan Black and James William Allan Prentice in New Zealand. The New Zealand Times of 15th December 1923 states that ‘Mr and Mrs Black and Miss Elsie Black, of the at one time well-known Musical All Blacks, are at present back in their native town of Invercargill after an absence of 14 years. They come across from Sydney to attend the marriage of Miss Nellie Black to Mr James Prentice, which took place on Wednesday last week’.

1923 In the Otago Witness dated 18th December 1823 there is a letter from ‘Mr John Black, of the once well-known Musical All Blacks writes – “Here we are again back in our native town after an absence of 14 years. We – Mrs Black, Elsie and I – cam over to attend Nellie’s wedding which came off on Wednesday December 5. Her name is now Mrs James Prentice. We are having a six months’ holiday in dear old Maoriland, and having a good time amongst our many old friends. Later we shall visit Dunedin”.

1927 Death of John Black on the 19th April 1927, he was from North Sydney, a musician and the administrator of his estate is Mary A. Black.

1935 Death of Mary Ann Black in Sydney on the 27th July 1935 (possibly).

1962 Death of Ellen Vaughan Prentice.