louis drysdale born 1884 died 1933

Louis Drysdale was born in Jamaica, probably in Kingston, in 1884, but so far no information has come to light on his parents or his family background. Like other musicians of the time, such as
T Ellis Jackson and Adeline McDermott, he appeared, new-minted, as a member of the Kingston Choral Union, in 1904. He appeared then in a concert for the Jamaica Union of Teachers, along with the well-established members of the group. By 1906 he was well enough established as a singer to be included in the group invited by Sir Alfred Jones to appear at the Colonial Products Exhibition:

Daily Gleaner  January 5, 1906
THE CHORAL UNION.
DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND.
  The Kingston Choral Union, consisting of the following members,
  Mr. T. E. Jackson, Director, Mr. C. Bryan, Mr. L. Drysdale, Mr. J. L.
  Loncke, Mr. H. Nation (pianist), Mr. J. Packer Ramsay, Miss C.
  Coverly, Miss E. Gordon, Mrs. Lawrence and Miss MacDermot,
  sailed on the s. s. Port Antonio yesterday afternoon for Bristol.
  The troupe was given a hearty send off by their many friends
  and well-wishers. On arriving at Avonmouth the company will
  proceed to Liverpool. It is expected that they will make their
  first appearance in the mother country at the Liverpool
  Exhibition which opens sometime next month.
 

In the UK the Kingston Choral Union became famous as the Jamaica Choir during its two tours extending from 1906 to 1908. Several members, including Drysdale, decided to stay on to make use of the opportunities to improve their musical skills. It seems that with the backing of Sir Alfred, Drysdale was able to study at the Royal College of Music with ourstanding operatic performers of the day. He then made a very successful career training singers, using the finest Italian methods. Although it does not seem that he ever returned to Jamaica, and apparently he and his first wife were divorced around 1911, he maintained strong links with the island.
In 1930 the great Jamaican comedian, Ernest Cupidon, wrote of his recent visit to Britain -
  While I was in England it was my good fortune not only to meet
  Mr Drysdale and his charming English wife, but to stay in their
  home at Forest Hill for several weeks.
  That Mr. Drysdale is a distinguished teacher of voice production
  and singing has been demonstrated by the results he has achieved.
  His wife, an accomplished accompanist, is of invaluable service to
  his art. He has a large clientele of men and women of all nationalities,
  and people travel from distant parts of England to take lessons from
  Mr. Drysdale. Daily Gleaner, February 5, 1930
In addition to his 'palatial' house at 11 Westbourne Road, Forest Hill, Drysdale had studios in the centre of London, one being at the Grotrian Hall on Wigmore Street. Among those mentioned as benefitting from Drysdale's - 'Dri' as he was known in London - coaching were the enormously popular American singer, Florence Mills, and the young Marian Anderson, at the start of her remarkable career. Drysdale offered a generous scholarship to Jamaican singers in 1930, though it seems no one took up the offer. Fellow Jamaicans were always welcome at his home.
Louis Drysdale died in 1933, and for several years Jamaicans remembered his achievements, but, as has happened to so many, his name soon faded from the Jamaican memory.