“Popular Orchestra Will Play For Decoration Day Ball” in the May 26,
1941, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News
The American Legion will offer one of the South’s most
popular orchestras in Ted Ross, who will bring his 13-piece University of North
Carolina band to Burlington next Friday for the big annual Legion Decoration
Day ball at the new armory.
The history of Ted Ross and his orchestra is a colorful one,
according to Ray Nally, member of the dance committee in charge of arrangements
for the ball. Starting out as an obscure small group three years ago at the
university, it has grown to be one of the most popular college orchestras in
the South. Ross, who directs the orchestra, also plays tenor saxophone, and
practically every song the orchestra plays is a special arrangement written by
Ted himself.
The orchestra has been featured at Virginia Beach, the Hotel
Charlotte in Charlotte, Washington Duke hotel in Durham and various leading
cotillion clubs throughout the South. Mr. Nally stated that in bringing this
exceptional group to Burlington the Legion felt that they were offering the
people of Burlington one of the finest bands that could be secured for the
occasion, in this section.
The star attraction of the orchestra is the vocal selections
of lovely Anne Russell, who has been with the band now for several months. The
youthful Miss Russell has already a large following of her own among those who
have heard of the orchestra.
According to members of the committee a large and
representative turn-out is expected for the Decoration Day ball. If the advance
sale of tickets is an indication of attendance, the affair should be one of the
outstanding events on Burlington’s calendar. Tickets are on sale at committee
headquarters, 107 1-2 E. Front street or by phoning 1030.
I have a picture of Ted Ross and His Orchestra. I think it is from a performance at Virginia Tech in the 1940s. I can send it to you if you are interested.
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