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This page is somewhat different from those on the contemporary musicians. I came across Mr. Cartier while doing other research, but I have not been able to find much further information about him. I shall put on this page all the references and information that I have on him, and hope that some one, somewhere, may be able to tell us more about this gifted young Jamaican.
Was this the birth record of 'Harold Cartier'?
Date and place of birth: Twenty second December 1885, 44 Wildman Street
Name: Harold Valencia Nathaniel Sex: Male Father: Andrew James Carter, 44 Wildman Street Mother: Marianna Emmeline Carter formerly Scott Occupation of father: Clerk Signature: A J Carter, Father, 44 Wildman Street Registered: Twenty-ninth December 1885 The details of Cartier's marriage
in Toronto in 1912 appear to tally with the details on the birth record. |
Marriage Record (Canada)
Harold St Nicholas Cartier Marriage Date: 25 Dec 1912 Place: Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada Age: 27 Birth Year (Estimated): 1885 Father's Name: James Andrew Carter Mother's Name: Mary E Scott Spouse's Name: Eloise Victoria Steele Spouse's Age: 25 Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1887 Spouse's Father's Name: Henry Steele Spouse's Mother's Name: Mary J Shaw |
Information from Ellis Island arrival records 1906:
Arrival in New York, August 30, 1906 (left Jamaica August 25) Name: Harold Carter Age: 20 Male, single Calling/Occupation: Music Non-immigrant alien, African/Black In Transit, to 96 John's Street, Hamilton, Ontario It would be interesting to know who gave Cartier his start as a pianist in Jamaica! |
Information from Ellis Island arrival records 1912:
Name: Harold Cartier Occupation: Musician Ethnicity: Jamaica, W Indian; Afr Bk [added in pencil] Residence: Toronto, Canada DOA: Feb. 22, 1912 (sailed from Kingston Feb. 17) Age: 25 years [born c 1887] Gender: M Marital status: S Ship: Metapan Additional info: Reginald Chester, 24, manager; Br. Canadian (non-immigrant alien); Returning from tour; Address: 60 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto (parents’ home) |
Daily Gleaner 1912
Noted Pianist will Give Recital Here
January 8
MR. H. SAINT NICHOLAS CARTIER
The above is a picture of Mr. H. Saint Nicholas Cartier, the distinguished pianist, who is now on a visit to Jamaica, his native land, and will give his first recital in the Collegiate Hall on Tuesday, commencing
at 3.15 o’clock.
By popular request Mr. Cartier has reduced his prices as announced in this paper recently to 4/ reserved and 2/ back seats. The box plan is now open at Louis Winkler and Son, 18 King St. Mr. Cartier expects to appear in Port Antonio, Montego Bay and Mandeville in the near future. These dates will be announced later.
January 11
GRAND RECITAL
Mr. Saint Nicholas Cartier At Collegiate Hall.
A BRILLIANT PIANIST.
Another Recital Arranged to be Given Next Week,
Mr. H. Saint-Nicholas Cartier, the talented pianist made his initial bow to the public of Jamaica on Tuesday night, when, to a small but appreciative gathering at the Collegiate Hall, he gave an exhibition in the art of piano-playing, which could not be surpassed, but by few men in the profession. It was quite apparent from the scanty audience that the public were unaware of the talent of the pianist, and pessimistic as to his ability. The select few who were in attendance, however, were treated to a rich musical treat, and were unanimous in their expressions of admiration at the brilliant exhibition by the master.
The following is a copy of the programme which was executed, each number of which was splendidly rendered and received with hearty applause.
If any numbers on the programme might be selected as being specially deserving of mention these would be Nos. 1 and 2 in Part II. The composition by Liszt was played with such expression and brilliancy of execution, that an encore was requested and given, while the selection entitled “Saint Monica at the Bird Carnival by the Brook” brought forth the hearty applause it justly deserved.
January 18
The manager, Mr. Chester, has announced his intention of giving a second recital, which, by popular request, has been fixed for the 18th inst. at the Collegiate Hall, the prices being the same as on Tuesday night.
January 20 |
Daily Gleaner, January 18, 1912
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The great artist made his first bow for the evening, which was received by the audience with loud applause, precisely at 8.15 o’clock, and from the very start, he fairly enchanted the audience who did not fail to show their appreciation of his wonderful talent, by repeated encores. Mr. Cartier displayed a complete mastery of his profession, overcoming the technique of the different items of the programme with apparent ease. His rendition of Miserere aus Trovatore, Von Verdi Grand Concert (Paraphrase) by Franz Liszt, created a furore, and was deservedly encored.
But the culminating point of his evening’s success was reached when Mr. Cartier struck up “St. Francis of Paola, walking on the Waves” a legend by Liszt. The marvellous pianist gave
A WONDERFUL REPRESENTATION
of the awesome moaning of the angry billows, with the occasional boom of a mighty breaker, on the bass notes, while, on the treble notes, the systematic rise and fall of each wave was vividly brought before the mind’s eye. The selection evoked an encore. Mr. Cartier excelled himself in his rendition of “St. Monica at the Bird Carnival by the Brook,” a legend by Carl Von Hesse, played by special request. In this selection, the babbling of the brook, and the confused whistling of myriad birds, were adroitly counterfeited. The artist received an ovation from his audience, in a manner which did ample justice to their small number. At the conclusion of the proceedings Mr. Cartier was fairly besieged behind the screen by grateful individuals from the audience, and many were the congratulations which he received. The recital was certainly one of the best, if not the best ever given in Jamaica.
January 25 |
February 13 |
[written a decade ago; some updates 2013]
I have only found two other references to Harold Cartier - one, sadly, is that he and his wife had a little daughter, Juanita, who was born in December 1913, died November 3, 1923, and was buried three days later.
The other is an item in The Canadian Patent Office Record and Register of Copyrights and Trade Marks, Volume 69, Issues 1-4 - Page vi, 1941
The other is an item in The Canadian Patent Office Record and Register of Copyrights and Trade Marks, Volume 69, Issues 1-4 - Page vi, 1941
- 52000. BRITANNIA HEROIC. Sub-title . . . . “GRAND FANTASY ON 'THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN' ”. By Harold St. Nicholas Cartier of Toronto, Ontario. Unpublished musical work. Harold Saint Nicholas Cartier and Elsie Campbell Mitchell, both of Toronto, Ont. 20th December, 1940.