Photos
from L to R: 1-Joe Venuti,
a classically trained violinist who
switched to jazz, worked and recorded with Bill Murray, Tommy
Dorsey, Red Nichols, Paul Whiteman, the Dorsey Brothers, Bing
Crosby, and just about every major jazz figure from the 1920's on. His "Venuti's
Blue Four" recordings with Eddie Lang are recognized jazz classics.
2-Marion Try Slaughter
a.k.a. Vernon Dalhart, the larger than life and colorful Texan singer
left a blooming career in opera to become one of the most popular, versatile
and prolific early country recording artists. He had numerous hits, such as
“Kinnie Wagner's Surrender” and “Just A Melody”.
PLAYLIST OF THOMAS EDISON'S ATTIC: The Edison National Historic Site and the archives of the legendary Edison Laboratory of West Orange, New Jersey, contained Tin Pan Alley pop songs, ragtime, Vaudeville comedy sketches, flapper dance bands, old-time country tunes, historic classical music, laboratory experiments and other artifacts - all dating from 1888 through 1929. Bill Murray prominently featured on the list.
|
Artist |
Track |
Album |
Year |
|
Billy Murray |
Alec Busby, don't go away |
Gold Moulded cylinder 8453 |
1903 |
|
Billy Murray |
I'm afraid to come home in the dark |
Gold Moulded cylidner 9780 |
1908 |
|
Sam Herman |
First meeting Murray & Murray's early career |
Interview by Peter Dilg & Lew Green Jr. |
1993 |
|
Billy Murray |
I've got the profiteering blues |
Diamond Disc 7243-C |
1920 |
|
Sam Herman |
Kathleen Murray - "The female Jesse James" |
Interview by Peter Dilg & Lew Green Jr. |
1993 |
|
Billy Murray |
Which switch is the switch, Miss, for Ipswich? |
Diamond Disc 4047-B |
1915 |
|
Premier Quartet |
Moonlight Bay |
Diamond Disc 3743-B |
1915 |
|
Sam Herman |
Touring with Billy Murray |
Interview by Peter Dilg & Lew Green Jr. |
1993 |
|
Premier Quartet |
Farmyard medley |
Diamond Disc 6031-C |
1918 |
|
Sam Herman |
Life in Freeport, NY with Madeline Murray & Billy Murray's death |
Interview by Peter Dilg & Lew Green Jr. |
1993 |
|
Ada Jones & Billy Murray |
I'll take you back to Italy - from "Jack O' Lantern" |
Diamond Disc 5994-C |
1918 |
|
Billy Murray & his Merry Melody Men |
She's got great ideas! |
Diamond Disc 19129-B |
1929 |
ADA JONES
Photo: Ada Jones in 1910.
Ada Jones (June 1, 1873-May 22, 1922), one of America’s earliest recording artists was the top female pop artist of the early acoustic era. She was the most popular female singer of the entire pre-1920 era. Her voice and characters were hand-made for popular tunes, sentimental songs, musical comedy, and Vaudeville sketches. Her powerful contralto voice, versatility in singing sentimental ballads, Irish songs, rags, and Vaudeville sketches contributed to her longevity. In addition to her very successful solos, she frequently teamed up with the elocutionist Len Spencer and the legendary Billy Murray. She recorded for Thomas Edison from 1900-1909. As early as 1882, Jones began to appear on the cover of sheet music. Her recordings in 1893 on Edison brown wax cylinders are among the earliest commercial recordings by any female solo singer. In the late 1890’s, Ada Jones began an illustrious stage performer career, accompanied by colored slide projections; a colorful novelty of the era. Her first recording “My Carolina,” hit the #3 spot on Billboard in May of 1905. Below is a list of her most memorable songs recorded between 1905 and 1909.
1905 - Ada Jones - Keep a little cosey corner
in your heart for me.
1905 - Ada Jones - Just plain folks.
1905 - Ada Jones - Can't you see I'm lonely.
1906 - Ada Jones - Just a little rocking chair and you.
1906 - Ada Jones - The moon has his eyes on you.
1907 - Ada Jones and Billy Murray - Smile, smile, smile.
1907 - Ada Jones and Billy Murray - Kiss, kiss, kiss.
1907 - Ada Jones - My Irish Rosie.
1908 - Ada Jones and Billy Murray - Smile! Smile! Smile!
1909 - Ada Jones - Keepaway from the fellow who owns an automobile.
“Vaudeville showcase, sketches and songs by Ada Jones and Len Spencer: Vaudeville favorites”: These Vaudeville sketches were recorded between 1904 and 1910. These routines are performed in a variety of dialects including Afro-American, Jewish, Rural, Italian, Irish, German, and New York Bowery. Most routines ended with a short song related to the sketch. Continues Next