Ame Amelia Garrison

Sep 29, 2025

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Entertainers, Theater and Music, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1909 – 1997

Amelia Garrison was a swing-era saxophonist who travelled widely playing with bands, also leading NJ’s only female orchestra as of 1938, according to the New Jersey Herald News, Ame Garrison’s Sirens of Swing. During her career she said, “usually I was the only female sax player they had ever worked with.”

James ‘Chop’ Jones said she was “one of the few women in our line of work to make it big…She was tops”. Her obituary said she used to “run all the guys off the bandstand”. Jimmy Stanford said, “She played with tremendous spirit in soul especially for a woman at that time.”

Ame could play almost any instrument, including trombone, clarinet, organ and accordion. She played with many bands, founding Elks Band and Sirens of Swing. She played with James Jones in “Four Chucks and a Chick”.

Amelia considered her “biggest break” being asked to play with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, who traveled the country, and were sometimes on the same bill as the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Ame was featured in Barbara Kukla’s book Swing City. She was also faculty for a music school in Belleville in 1938.

In 1968, Ame was honored at a picnic and featured by the Star Ledger and Newark News as the “oldest female professional saxophone player” in Local 16 of the American Federation of Musicians.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, her 1968 Newark News profile stated that her music career began at Charleston Street School where she founded a band. She graduated Central High School, according to Kukla’s Swing City, though census records only list a year of high school.

After her husband Clarence died in 1961, she retired from an active career in music and served as director of Senior Citizen Services at Scudder Homes for 20 years, and later organized the Sunshine Club, taking seniors on trips and outings, at Court Towers. She was able to get musicians she knew to play concerts for the senior citizens. She stated, “The 30s were exciting and I appreciate the education I got on the band circuit, but I have to admit the most rewarding experience of my life has ben working with these wonderful senior citizens.”

In retirement, she also directed the Golden Voices choir of the Friendly Neighborhood House.

In 1973 she was deputy grand marshall of the Crispus Attucks Day parade in Newark.

In 1975, at Newark City Hall, she testified before Senate Special Committee on Aging about the need for more services, as well as sick and vacation time for staff.

Aunt of Dorothy Gould.