John J Stamford (1840-99) was a highly successful theatrical manager, author and composer – best known for his songs, sketches and pantomimes. For many years he managed the career of the Irish American comic WJ Ashcroft and in his later years ran the Alhambra Music Hall in Belfast after Ashcroft purchased it. He wrote many songs for Ashcroft, but also supplied songs to other leading performers like GH MacDermott, Sam Torr, Tony Pastor and others.
He was born John Jones in Wales – in The Mumbles, near Swansea, but worked under the professional name of “John Jones Stamford”.
His songs seem to have been equally successful in Ireland, Britain and the USA, but for most of his life he lived in Belfast.
A number of his songs have passed into the repertoire of traditional singers, including:
- Foley’s Hotel (RN34539)
- Jeremiah blow the fire (RN18583)
- MacNamara’s Band (RN25273)
- Man you don’t meet every day, A (Jock Stewart) (RN975)
- Poor but a gentleman still (RN7337)
- Wreck of the Ragamuffin (RN10466)
All the known songs: This list probably underestimates his full output, but represents my most complete list of his songs that were advertised with cross-references to the Roud Indexes where they exist.
Sources
- Death of Mr John J Stamford, Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, May 27 1899.
- Funeral of JJ Stamford, The Era, June 2 1899
Last Updated on October 27, 2022 by John Baxter | Published: October 11, 2022
