The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1916)

12 EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, FEBRUARY, 1916 Artists Behind Edison Blue Amberol Records for February GEORGE WILTON BAEEARD A native of Syracuse, N. Y., Mr. Ballard has for many years been among the leading concert and church tenors in the East. He started his musical career as soloist in church choirs in Syracuse, where he remained upwards of ten years, participating in important concerts in his home town and throughout the state of New York. His enunciation and phrasing, those two qualities so necessary for phonograph work, are specially commendable. MARY CARSON Miss Carson is a native of Houston, Texas. She has been singing since she was six years old and is one of the favorites among Edison artists, as well as on the concert and operatic stage. Her debut in opera was made in Italy, when she sang Amino, in "Ea Sonnambula." Her repertoire consists of about twenty-five operas, in French, Italian and German, together with almost innumerable English songs. Her voice records perfectly, and all her many records have become popular. THOMAS CHALMERS The New York public heard Thomas Chalmers with the Century Opera Company, during its two seasons, and voted him one of the most promising, if not the very best baritone before the public now singing grand opera in English. His enunciation is unusually distinct, which is a big factor in making Phonograph records. He is extremely versatile, and does everything well, so that his records are uniformly excellent. His voice is of beautiful quality and he handles it perfectly. HELEN CLARK This charming and artistic young contralto was born in Rochester, N. Y., of a well-known and musical family. Miss Clark's talent developed early in life, for even as a child she was known for her phenomenal voice, and at the tender age of nine she began singing in church choirs. The contralto timbre of her voice soon became very pronounced, and when about seventeen years of age she was brought to New York and placed under Madame Jaeger, of the Metropolitan Opera House. BIEEY GOEDEN Black-face comedy, Billy Golden and James Marlowe have been inseparable companions for many years. Golden was born in Cincinnati, but grew up in St. Louis, where he originated the "Cane pat," now so universally used by buck dancers. He and his partner, James Marlowe, have won fame and applause in all the big vaudeville houses in the country, where they are always known as the "Phonograph Boys." IRVING KAUFMAN Mr. Kaufman possesses a beautiful, rich tenor voice which has received much careful training under Professor Samoiloff of Carnegie Hall, New York. His first stage appearance was at the tender age of seven, when he appeared in vaudeville. He is a clever singer, and his records are always thoroughly enjoyable. Mr. Kaufman is also one of the Kaufman Brothers, who make their phonograph debut with the February list. KAUFMAN BROTHERS A favorite vaudeville team known throughout the United States* who, in the words of one critic, "Make a thousand people laugh every day." And if you include their Phonograph work, the number is probably nearer ten thousand. BURTON EENIHAN A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Burton Lenihan studied music for some years in Boston. Then he went to New York, where he obtained several minor parts in Broadway musical productions. His opportunity for fame came with his engagement to sing the leading tenor role in "The Firefly" with Emma Trentini, which he did most successfully during the run of this popular operetta. Mr. Eenihan's voice records well and he promises to become a favorite with Edison owners. ARTHUR MIDDLETON Mr. Middleton is one of the leading bass-baritones of the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York. He has been there since 1914, and is constantly forging to the front in press and public opinion alike. Still a young man, b' career is most promising, and many believe he will short be the greatest of all operatic artists of his kind. ISIDORE MOSKOWITZ Mr. Moskowitz, an American violinist, was for years associated with many of the leading symphony orchestras and also appeared as soloist, after which he left this country to complete his studies abroad. He later appeared in Berlin in public with such success that the eminent composer, Max Bruch, sent him the manuscript of his latest concert-piece for violin and orchestra, to be played in a public concert at which the Kaiser and his family attended. Moskowitz subsequently returned to America, where he is now fulfilling the predictions of a very successful career. BILLY MURRAY Mr. Murray's voice is so familiar to the public that it is like introducing an old friend to attempt to say anything about him. He was born in Philadelphia, though he spent his boyhood in Denver, and now lives in New York. It was while living in Denver that he first became interested in theatricals and started his successful career. Mr. Murray's popularity among phonograph owners dates from his first records, for his clear, strong voice made an instantaneous "hit." He is now one of the cleverest singers of comic songs before the public. GLADYS RICE Miss Rice was born in Philadelphia, daughter of John Rice and Salley Cohen, who were prominent in the theatrical world. She made her debut in vaudeville at the Palace Theatre, New York, and has since appeared in dramatic and musical stock companies. Her personality is very winning, and through the medium of her records she is extremely charming. ELIZABETH SPENCER Although Miss Spencer's voice is known and admired by thousands of Edison enthusiasts, there are probably very few who know that she is the daughter of William Gilpin, who was Governor of Colorado. Miss Spencer was born in St. Louis, Missouri. After studying in Paris, she embarked upon her professional career that has been such a success. Her voice is unquestionably one of the purest and sweetest sopranos that the Phonograph has ever recorded. GEORGE L. THOMPSON Mr Thompson was born in New York City in 1875. He made his first appearance in 1893 and has been on the stage ever since. The American vaudeville public knows him well as one of the cleverest performers of his kind.