Breakthrough
The "Pierrots" went to London in December 1893 for
a performance at the Prince's Hall. His fame was
instant, followed by numerous private engagements.
The following months, he performed at St. James's
Hall together with the Moore and Burgess
Minstrels. That summer, Morley re-formed the Royal
Osborne Minstrels and they appeared in Colwyn Bay.
In 1896, he once again joined the Clifford Essex
Royal Pierrots - the word "Royal" was added when
the "Pierrots" had performed before Royalty - and
they appeared at Folkestone. He stayed with them
for the next thirteen years and during that period
he met the American banjo player Vess Ossman who
happened to be in London for an appearance. Morley
became influenced by that meeting and bought
himself a five-string banjo with frets and
eventually learned to play it.
Later in 1909, he became a member of Will Pepper's
White Coons. Three years later, Morley conducted
the Palladium Minstrels, composed of 34 banjoists
at the London Palladium minstrel show. In 1914, he
joined Alec Hurley's The Jesters touring Ireland.
During World War I, Morley entertained the troops
at Aldershot and Salisbury, as well as abroad in
Cologne and Koblenz.
Later career
Morley began to make recordings with the banjo
player Olly Oakley for Pathé Records.Out of all
records he made, he only made one solo record on
Homochord label: Jovial Huntsman and Donkey Laugh.
In August 1932, he made his radio debut as a banjo
soloist. Five months later, he went on the air
with the Kentucky Minstrels. Morley who never
married, died at the Lambeth Hospital in London.
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