Bunny Longo

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The Longo sisters made their debut as an orchestra about 1925, when their ages totaled less than half a century. That was before "Bunny" had become an avowed professional through affiliation with the union and there was nothing to hinder the family from appearing together. Their instruments in those days approximated their skill, which, although remarkable for so young a group of musicians, left much to be accomplished.

"Josephine's saxophone," said Mrs. Longo, "was a 'tinny' instrument, costing no more than $25. Last Christmas we gave her a $265 gold-plated saxophone. Margaret's drums cost a good sum, too. You see, we give musical instruments instead of fur coats in this house for Christmas. 'Bunny' has about $500 invested in instruments which she purchased from her earnings.

"In the early days," Mrs. Longo continued, "we used to play at lodge meetings for $1.50 an hour. And I couldn't begin to count the dances, the church entertainments, the graduation exercises and parties at which we performed."
(Source: St. Louis Globe-Democrat Sunday Magazine, September 7, 1930)

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