I know a gentleman, Harold Feinberg, who in 1948, enlisted in the Army. In July of 1950 Harold, like so many other young men that year, was called to arms to fight Communist aggression on the Korean peninsula. Harold was assigned to Artillery Maintenance at the front lines.
During a break in the fighting, when he was pulled back to Pusan in a non-direct combat area, Harold learned that there was going to be a live entertainment performance that he would be able to attend. Harold was in attendance at the performance Al Jolson gave in the huge empty swimming pool. Harold says he cannot pick himself out of any of the photographs but he does remember sitting inside the pool facing Jolson.
Harold says he was certainly aware of who Al Jolson was, but did not have any special appreciation for him as an entertainer. Harold sadly admits that most of Jolson's performance that day has faded from his memory, except for Al's bantering/story telling. Jolson sang "Brother Can You Spare a Dime". This is the only song he vividly recalls Jolie singing, yet somehow became indelibly etched in his memory.
Years later, Harold settled in Rochester, NY and raised a family. Along the way, he pursued his interest of becoming a professional clown. In one of his acts, Harold took on the persona of a proberbial "Tramp". Besides performing in various venues, he also participated in clown competitions. The normal act required a three minute program. Well, serendipity intervened as Harold determined that Al Jolson's "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" was exactly three minutes in length. So, he was able to rely on Mr. Jolson's golden voice to guide his act along. According to Harold, his act went over very well and he certainly attributes his accompaniment with Jolie as a big factor!