Paul Biese's Trio with Vocal Chorus by Frank Crumit -- Timbuctoo, Fox Trot (Kalmar -- Ruby), Columbia 1919 (USA; accoustical rec.) NOTE: This frisky fox trot was one of the hits presented in a musical comedy "Tina", which had its European premiere in London's Adelphi in 1915 (Unfortunately I found no data about the American staging). The title was due to a cocoa king named Van Dam, who had a dauther and since he had little thought for anything except business, he christened her "Cocoa". However, for social purposes she called herself "Tina". This leads to series of qui pro quo situations typically for a comedy of the times. For my presentation I did however select a little more serious theme, than could be guessed by the frivolous turn-of-the centuries hit. The slides present the walls and people of one of the most mysterious places in the world: Timbuctoo, where lives one of the most mysterious nations in the world: proud, merciless and beautiful Tuaregs, known also as the "Sahara warriors". Timbuctoo (or Timbuctoo or Tombouctou) is the ancient Sahara city located in the African country of Mali, near the edge of the Niger River during the rainy season (but about 8 miles from the river during much of the year). The name "Timbuktu" is used in several African languages to represent a far-away place. It was founded by nomads in the 12th century and it rapidly became a major trading depot for the caravans of the Sahara Desert. During the 14th century, the legend of Timbuktu as a rich cultural center spread through the world, especially when the Emperor of Mali made his pilgrimage to Mecca via Cairo in 1324. The North African traders were impressed by the amount of gold he carried; the legend grew, when several years later the Muslim explorer Ibn Batuta wrote of his visit to Timbuktu and told of the wealth and gold of the region. Thus, Timbuctoo became renown as an African El Dorado. During the 15th century, Timbuktu grew in importance, as a centre for salt trading across the desert region. It also became a center of Islamic study and home of a university and library. The city's population numbered between 50,000 to 100,000, with approximately one-quarter of the population composed of scholars and students. Amazing metropolis, which grew in the middle of nowhere! The legend of its riches also grew, being the reason why several expeditions, including British, were formed to establish trade with Timbuctoo. Unfortunately, between the 17th-19th centuries, most of the explorers who attempted to reach Timbuctoo, never returned. Some ended up with the massacre by the local tribes or died in the depths of Sahara or trying to sail along the Niger River. In 1824, the Geographical Society of Paris offered a huge reward to the first European who could visit Timbuktu and return to tell the story of the mythical city. The winner bacame Scottish explorer Gordon Laing, who in 1825-26 travelled from Tripoli to Timbuctoo, being many times attacked by the ruling Tuareg nomads and was shot, cut by swords, and broke his arm. He was unimpressed with Timbuctoo, which had "nothing but mud-walled homes in the middle of a barren desert". He died on his way back through Africa. The next explorer was the French named Rene-Auguste Caillie, who travelled disguised as an Arab, as part of a caravan. He studied Arabic and the Islamic religion for several years before his expedition. In April 1827 he left the West Coast of Africa and reached Timbuktu a year later even though he was ill for five months during the trip. Caillie too, was unimpressed with Timbuktu and after two weeks he travelled to Morocco and then home to France. Caillie published three volumes about his travels and was awarded the prize from the Geographical Society of Paris. In the late 1800s, France took control of the Mali regionu; Timbuctou was occupied and became the site of a French fort. In 1960, it became part of the independent country of Mali with the population of 19,000 in 1976) and 32, 000 in 1987. Timbuctoo was designated a United Nations World Heritage Site and efforts are underway to preserve the city. The tune is played by the Chicagoan jazz musician, saxophon player and leader of his own band: Paul Biese's Novelty Dance Orchestra. Some of Paul Biese's recordings have been made, however, by a small ensamble: Paul Biese's Trio. See more about him at http://youtu.be/654xv6DX2D0

• published: 07 Dec 2013
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