The International Al Jolson Society (IAJS), more than a thousand members
strong, was founded in 1950 in order to preserve the Jolson
legacy, i.e. his music and the history of the man himself. The first
society president was Dolores Kontowicz (nee Kaczynski), who as a
young girl started a club for her favorite singer, Al Jolson.
For the first few months of the society's existence, Jolson actually
served as the society's "honorary" president. Sadly, this honor
lasted for a mere few months as Jolson passed away in October of
that year.
The IAJS is not simply a fan club; it
is a well-run organization with a constitution, bylaws and elected
officers. The Society even holds yearly conventions at sites in both
the United States and United Kingdom. They publish two journals per
year as well as periodic newsletters. These publications contain
wonderful articles on Jolson and his contemporaries, and often
include many photographs.
The IAJS also sells much Jolson memorabilia, e.g. audio, video,
photographs, sheet music and other collectibles, not to mention
clothing with the Jolson Society name and logo on them.
For all those who are fans of Jolson, the Society is a way of
learning more of his legacy and interacting with other admirers of
his work. Members often interact via postings to the Society
website. The most enjoyable part of belonging is having the
opportunity to attend the yearly conferences--even the occasional
festival--where members may bid on various Jolson collectors' items,
listen to performers, such as Tony Babino, who sings just like
Jolson, and otherwise tell each other how happy they are that
such a Jolson society still exists nearly sixty years after Jolson's
passing.
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Listen to a clip of an interview
with Dolores Kontowicz , Founder and the first Society President,
conducted in 1990 (the fortieth anniversary of the Society) by
ex-Society President John Wehrman. They talk about the future
of the International Al Jolson Society. Just click on the earphone
icon above.
A final tribute to Al Jolson by John
Wehrman, and a final song as sung by Al Jolson--"No Sad Songs For
Me."
Thank you for visiting the Museum of
Family History's "Great Artists Series" exhibition "The Immortal Al
Jolson." |