James W. Tate
| James W. Tate | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 30 July 1875 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire |
| Died | February 5, 1922 (aged 46) Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire |
| Occupation | composer and producer |
| Spouse(s) |
Lottie Collins Clarice Mayne |
James William Tate (30 July 1875 – 5 February 1922) was a songwriter, accompanist, and composer and producer of revues and pantomimes in the early years of the 20th century. Tate was born in Wolverhampton, England and died in Stoke-on-Trent, suddenly at the age of 46, as a result of pneumonia caught while traveling the country with his touring revues.
The son of a publican, Tate was the eldest brother of one of the foremost operatic sopranos of the early twentieth century, Maggie Teyte. Originally intending to pursue a career in the church, he received early music training from his father, composing his first piece at the age of ten.
In 1892, Tate went to the United States, returning in 1897 to accept a position as Musical Director at the Carl Rosa Opera Company. Later, Tate served as Musical Director at Wyndham's Theatre. In 1898 Tate went on tour as conductor with the dancer-singer Lottie Collins, who was famous for introducing the song "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" to Britain. He married Collins in 1902, becoming her second husband. She was the mother of musical comedy star Jose Collins. In 1902, he managed a production with a title similar to that of the Parisian hit play Coralie et Cie at the Islington Grand called The Court Dressmaker, or Coralie and Co. This led to legal action in the High Court by the producers of 'The Little French Milliner', an adaptation of the same French play at The Avenue theatre; the dispute was settled by an agreement to alter the title of Tate's play. In 1903 he toured as conductor with the musical All at Sea.
After Lottie Collins's death in 1910, Tate married singer Clarice Mayne in 1912, with whom he had been performing since 1906. Tate was her accompanist, and was the "That" in the variety theatre act known as "Clarice Mayne and That" ("This sings, That Plays!"). Tate was a composer of numerous catchy music hall songs during these years, many for his wife. He also had songs interpolated in shows, including Sergeant Brue (1904, "Instinct", "And so did Eve") and The Belle of the Orient (1904).
...
Wikipedia