Variety (August 1925)

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^.:V~': '■W "..r't <'^> .'d.T' '. T^TTT^:; .■•vr;";-'\'»^;v'(/ Wednesday, August 19, 1928^ MUSIC VARIETV T^^ 3tf V>' INSIDE STUFF , On Music Another RmI Estat* "Break" A *udd«n rise to (ortun* la recorded In the career of Tom Payton, trstwhlle ataeet mualc aalesman, wbo occupied a amall atore adjoining the State Lake Bulldlne:. Chicago. Things were to bad he oould not pay the rent and waa literally thrown out on the sidewalk. However, borrowing enough money, he managed to save l)la counter and piano and then got busy and allied himself with O. Frank Croiaasant aa aalesman for the latter's real eetate operations at Calumet City, Ind. Within three months Payton made such a success of his real estate •peratlons for the firm that he was promoted to be sales manager and BOW la Independently wealthy, rides around In two big ocura. An Open Secret ▲ mualc publisher who prides himself on his business acumen and Who is generally reputed for his shrewdness will be surprised when he leama that certain of his executive employes for some time have been preparing to found their own music publishing concern. The preparations are an "open secret" in the Industry, everybody being aware thereof .but the man they are worthing for. Songs are /being retkdied and mechanical companies have even been interviewed by the newcomers, who seem content to bMe their time, probably «Btll the "boss" gets wise. ^ Overlooking Publicity Bet The Remlck song, "Oh Say Can I See You Tonight," which has borrowed Its melody motift from the national anthem, is overlooking a great i>ublicity bet. If the American Legion and the usual "complaint" gag could become interested, its publicity might prove valuable. Jerry Voflel Reports Jerry Vogel, in charge of the popular music department at the Plaza Co., Jobbing house, is back in New York after a general survey of the bualneae In principal cities as far west as St. Louis and Chicago and wnith to New Orleans. As a Jobber, and not as a music •publisher, Vogel oplnee national conditions are generally improving and the music busi- ■esa looks good for the fall. As one orchestra leader of prominence in the ileld, who should make « good attraction for the disks, opines: "The recording thing is only (lory nowadays. There isn't anything in It any more; everybody and bla brother is an "exclusive" something-or-other artist. When things revert to normalcy I'll start worrying about recording." W; Apropos of this, the undercurrent that a new era in the phpnograph business is due is acting as a deterrent for rushing matters until things ■sateriallse in the fall. Both the Victor and Brunswick have some- thing new |n sound boxes and other combination phoilt>graphs on the tepi^. The Victor's developments have been tipped oft <rom the Patent Office and Brunswick is slated to make an Inyportant announcement Aug. IS. The change will be radical, according to the dope. Another tlProflC is that all the Victor dealers are cut-rating their machines and reoords. Accordingly, new would-be disk artists are biding their time tor a while for developments. " -• Joe Burke's Three HiU A philosophy of fate figures quite Importantly' in the story of Joe Boiltei Philadelphia songwriter, who for many yeara had good com- inareUI tunes ufi his sleeve, but until he teamed up with Benny Davis Btfver really asserted himself. Burke now has three big hits in "Yearn- lug," "Oh How I Miss You Tonight," and "No Wonder," riding simul- taneously with others In manuscript that look good, all in col- laboration with Davis, who more or less discovered the Philly tune- ■Rilth. Burke is by no means a newcomer, however, some eight or nine . years ago delivering a couple of hits, but not seriously asserting him- LMlf uiltll- the past year with Davis as writing mate. 1^ \ Harry Stoddard is back in the United SUtes. That may mean little for a band leader other' than that it Is the answer to a happy-go-lucky outlook on life by Stoddard, who headed his imnd In vaudeville for a time and forged to the fore and then decided to return to his hatlve Bohemia for a good long loaf. Having done so for almost a year, Stoddard is back, again eager to reassemble his band and resume work until con- 4Htions once more warrant an extended vacation as the one Just com- pleted, ^y , Copyrighted Arrangements The question of copyrighted arrangements of otherwise non-copyright music has never been legacy tested, and, rather than incur legal expense, 'Robbins-Sngel, Inc., paid |1,000 in settlement to Jungerknickel, a pub- ^her of thematic film music. Robblns-Engel, Inc.. published the offi- cial musical score to the "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall" (United Artists) as the firm has for several of the Famous Players and Griffith's most ln»portant features, but in this case, through a printer's inad- vertence, certain arrangemnts of classical numbers which the Junger- knickel firm had copyrighted were Included in the score. The same numbers, employing a non-copyright arrangement thereof, were readily available, but the error cost the R-E firm $1,000 in settlement. Brunswick is counting on a heavy scale of the Charlie Chaplin rec- ordB. A special Jacket Is Issued with the disk mentioning that "Sing a Bong" and "With You, Dear, In Bombay," were both composed and recorded In the course of the filming of Chaplin's "Gold Rush." Chaplin Is guest conductor with Abe Lyman's band in the "canning" of the great comedian's own songs.' Chaplin also contributes violin solo obligates in each number. BAN D REVI EWS COON-SANDERS ORCHESTRA (0) Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City Atlantic City, Aug. 8. Carlton A. Coon and Joe L. Sand- ers bead the Coon-Sanders Original Night Hawk Orchestra at Young's Million Dollar Pier. This crack combination, which first came to national fame through their night hawk entertainment and radio-cast- ing from Kansas City, speaks forci- bly for Itself when facts and fig- ures are mentioned in connection with the pier engagement. For nine men Coon-Sanders are receiving 12,600 a week, a precedent being es- tablished at Captain Young's pier in that they do not work afternoons at all, with the exception of Sun- days, Charlie Fry's orchestra of- ficiating during the day and alter- nating with Coon-Sanders on the night sessions. Such concessions are unusual, considering that Coon- Sanders are afforded excellent op- portunity for extensive Victor re- cording at the Camden laboratories near by. it's a corking band, and the vari- ous reports that this combination would wow 'em In vaudeville or at a New York cafe are not exag- gerated. Coon and Sanders, at <he drums and piano respectively, with the latter directing from the keyboards, are vocalists of i^o 'mean order. They have for some time contrib- uted vocal choruses in their dance records which in turn Inspired the Victor company to feature them as singers only, sans the band, giving them a double recording outlet. The band on the whole is gener- ally pleasing entertainment. That sax section, comprising Harold and John Thlel and Orville Knapp, la great. Joe Rlcbolson, at the trum- pet, and Nick itfussolinl. trombone, are first-class brass men. Frank B. Stept, tuba; William Held, banjo, and Coon and Sanders complete the line-up. The band would like to test New York's Judgment, but the heads are frank in stating they feel them- selves not quite ready to hit the metropolis. Altel, AL LENTZ and THAT Band (9) Caatilian Qardens, Lynbrook, L. I.. Al Lenta and THAT Band are the season's dance attraction at this Ljrnbrook. L. I., roadhouse, run by Al and Jack. X«nts, heading it, la a veteran in the versatile band gamei being of the original Versa- tile Sextet, which gave rise to Ir- ving Aaronson's sensational Com- manders. Lentx's idea seems patterned along the same ambitious lines. His troupe Is a thoroughly versatile octet, doing specialties and other numbers, with Lents at the head and an individual card. Their dance stuff is pleasing and In themselves make a snapny 80-mlnute ensemble attraction. Lents does dialect vocal numbers when strumming the banjo while perched atop the baby grand. Buddy Burton, drums, and Mack Ceppoa. violin, are a pair of high- lights with their song-and-dance specialties. An ensemble "speech" number shows painstaking thought in its building up. Wally Wilder, trombone; Tommy Harrla and Glen Wakeman, saxes; Johnny Worth- son, piano; Merrill Klein, base, and Bobby Jacobson. trumpet, complete the personnel. For a cafe or roadhouse Al Lentz's aggregation is more than a satis- factory straight dance band because their individual entertainment abil- ity makes them a worth-while at- traction. Where Al Lents and THAT Band could be made an ex- traordinary feature is aa a straight stage band. A\>e\. :A -% DIFFERENCE IN DANCE TEMPOS A prominent London management cabled Variety for confidential Information anent a California dance orchestra as compared to a New York band for the purpose of gauging merit, etc. The London management did not take into consideration that the difference of S.OOO miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast In the United States must also account for some difference In dance styles. London thus far has had Paul Whiteman, Vincent Lopei. Paul Specht, Ted Lewis, et al., as American Importations, each exemplify- ing the same general style of symphonic Jasz with Lewis' unadulter- ated Jau being a departure. To compare a California symphonic syncopating organization to the eastern school of dance music is another problem. The west- ern style la noted for it« soft rhythm, running to simplified arrange- ment and instrumentation as against the elaborated and quadruple reed and brass sections of the large eastern organisations. Accord- ingly, if the London public has accepted for its high standard the style of dance music of its past guest bands, it presents a difficult proposition for the California bands, whose style will be somewhat foreign to the American standard alren.:y established over there. This situation was paralleled in New York when two west coast bands came to the eastern metropolis and failed to click for the same reason. Isham Jones waa a more recent Instance, bis nUd- western fast Chicago tempo also not impressing in New York. Jones, when he bits London next month (as he Is slated to do so for six weeks) will be the first to bri.v something radically new in tempoa to the British capital. His is strictly a fast Chicago rhythm and to the musical wiseacres It would not be surprising if he scored the biggest sensation of them all because the European people have an off-beat sense of rhythm, dancing against time rather than with it. the trumpet, while Lew Oould, sax- ophone, and Ralph (barren, piano, are the arrangers. One special ar- rangement ought to bring them much, namely "Just A Little Drink." It's decidedly different. Pete Kendrlck plays the other sax and clarinet, and Dick Young takes care of the banjo. James Shimer has the drums and Al Dur chong the violin. Boyd knew his success depended on getting a bunch of boys together who were "air tight." He has made a good Job of it and the "unsullied" reputation of the WiUard will not suffer in their hands. iTeoMn. QAYLORD-YOUNQ ORCHESTRA. Hotel Ambassador, Atlantic City Atlantic City, Aug. 8. The Charles Oaylord-Bkin Young Mitertalnlng orchestra Is the talk of Atlantic City hotel bands. Buck- ing the crack Commanders (Irving Aaronson) at the Rltz-Carlton Ho- tel, almost next door, this unknown and previously unheard-of aggre- gation has been holding Its own on the strength of its clever work, smart dance rhythm, engaging per- sonalities and diverting entertain- ment. The boys sing in ensemble and harmonize above par. Oaylord, vio- lin-conducting, and Young at the banjo are two unusual solo attrac- tions. The grillroom is decorated in ma- rine fashion, and the various spe- cial nights have the musicians (in sailors' toggery) taking the au- dience through various ports. The locales determine the general motif of the evening in music and enter- tainment. It's a clever band and will most likely be snapped up by some band bookers or picture houses. For vaudeville the Oaylord-Young ag- gregation is sure-fire. A^e{, Beat Drum and Wife San Francisco. Aug. U. A man who beats a drum at night In a cafe orchestra should terminate his "beatings" when he goes bom* to his wife. This Is the contention of Mrs. Ina C. McCarthy, dancer, who was given an interlocutory decree of divorce from John McCarthy, trap drummer and former orchestra leader. REJECTS EXTRA WEEKS Paul Whiteman returned to New York Monday after a month's New England dance tour, turning down two extra weeks over the same ter- ritory after he had played return date* at several stands twice and thrice again. Whltaman will take a brief re*t before starting rehearsals for hUl Hippodrome fortnight starting A«g- ' ust 81. Rudy Sieger's European Trip Rudy Sieger, the San Francisco orchestra leader, sails today (Wednesday) on the Mauretanla on a short vacation. Sieger will broadcast abroad as extensively as in this country where he is well known on the radio. Will Cempleta Canton Daneehall Canton. O., Auc. 11. It is announced the new daneehall on Market avenue, now In course of construction and beini erected by the Northern Ohio Amusement C<K, will be completed. Work on this pavilion was balteS when financial difficulties developed. The company has been reorganised and it la planned to open the pavU" ion this fall. BEN MEROFF Diractsr •( ■Be irMM ATnjt ] TnTAnOMO HIOH-HATTSmi Kcitb-AlkM V—**vi ne. KW PO» _,_ "BOBBIKS-BKOKL TVinM MAU BANDS." Am tm sIm. IOm !■«••*, fMi«Wtag Tm mo VOCBi "Florida" '*Look Who's Herol" "Hong Koac Dream Garl** "MoHy" rabllahad br Robbiiu-Engel, Inc. 1«M y. Msw Terk Ctty r Will E. Skidmore Recovered f Will B. Skidmore, veteran colored songwriter, has conquered his 111- % nesa after four years in Arizona, and is back on Main street writing I again. The Skidmore Music Co., the Shapiro-Bernstein comedy song I* publishing subsidiary, was originally founded by the "blues" composer, f but Is now exclusively an S-B proposition. i;:..*'^^'"' '••>•<■•".?.•■-■'' Mascot Dies *^ Gabby, Ernest Hare's mascot, who has been with the singer through *' 10 Winter Garden shows and five times from coast to coast, died last '^^ week. Gabby was a bull dog, well known to the show business. ?r %-.^ That Roc4(away Boom ■ Sam Felnsmlth, saxophonist with Louis Katzman's Ambassadors in "Mercenary Mary," is pretty gloomy these days. Felnsmith sees red whenever Far Rockaway real estate Is mentioned. . It dates back three years ago whin he built a couple of houses there of which he dispose'd three months ago at a loss. With the new board- walk at the Rockaways booming land values sky high, Feinsmith's prop- erty Is worth considerably more, hence his regret. Plugging Syncopated Classics Rhythmic paraphrases on the classics Is the latest departure among •mart dance orchestras who are going in more and more for plugging these syncopated classics rather than popular numbers. The deluge of pop stuff has caused them to resort to-the classics for relief. As a result, crack arrangers are working overtime on this type of scor|pg. DAVID BOYD A^O WILLARD ORCHESTRA (7). Hotel Willard, Washington, D. C. Washington, Aug. 4. The Willard Job comes close to being one of the most "elite" as- signments of the country. The hotel has been the home of high government officials for many years. The management wants mellowed music from Its orchestra with now and then Just a touch of the syn- copated stuff. , P>or over 10 years one orchestra had held forth here, but with a change Boyd, who was directing at the Mayflower for Lopes, was given the Job following the termination of the Lopez contract at the May- flower. A happy combination of the "hot" western and "sweet" eastern style has been hit by the seven boys. Boyd directs for the cutoffs and accents only and at other times gets regular music from that trom- bone of his. M. Strickland hamlles PUBLICITY PLAN SERVICE In niETY is a simple and inexpensive manner of keeping your name or business before the show business of the world each week. .Jf^»i- » ■ \ .■'■ ■•■%^ kf Gives displayed or pictorial publicity for 68 weeks each year. Amount may be regulated by the advertiser. , Write or call at any Variety office: NEW YORK CHICAGO LOS ANGELES 154 W. 46th St. SUte-Lake Thea. BIdg. Chapman Bldf. I LONDON, 8 St. Martin's PI., Trafalgar Sqtiare ..1 Hi 1f^'^ - r..jb.u :.:^^>v Vj tfT .^ ;;a..;