The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1916)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, JUNE, 1916 11 Who's Who Among Edison Artists in the July Blue Amberol List CRITERION QUARTET THE Criterion Quartet, of New York City, that is pictured on the cover of this issue of the Phonograph Monthly, has won for itself an enviable reputation. The individual and collective merits of these artists are unquestionable, and few quartets in this country have gained such notable comment from music critics. John Young, first tenor of the quartet, is familiar to Edison phonograph owners as for many years he has made Edison records under the assumed name of Harry Anthony, his superb tenor making him one of the favorites among Edison artists. He is a famous oratorio singer and has appeared with most of the leading oratorio societies of the country. Horatio Rench, second tenor, is soloist in the Collegiate Church of New York City and he is an artist whose untiring efforts have placed him in the leading rank of concert tenors. Wherever he has been heard, George Reardon has been commended for his rich warm baritone voice and everywhere he is recognized as a master of vocal art. Donald Chalmers, basso, has often been referred to as "the greatest basso in the country," and he is accorded this distinction by many critics. His voice is of phenomenal depth and sonority, and he never fails to delight his audiences. Everywhere the Criterion Quartet has appeared their work has evoked the most enthusiastic praise from musical critics and from all classes of music lovers. ALBERT SPALDING, Violinist ___^__=====, Albert Spalding, America's great|| est violinist and one of the few I great violinists of the world, was I born in Chicago in 1888 and reHfe "OS^ w I ce^vec' his musical education in *■ New York, Florence and Paris. He mr ^M early displayed a love for music B» ^H and at the age of seven years asked B*!w1*' MM ^or a vi°nn and quickly astonished BE ! ^H his parents by his wonderful aptitude for the instrument. He commenced his serious studies soon after he came in possession of the violin and at the age of ten years appeared before the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. At the age of fourteen he passed the examination for a professorship of the Bologna Conservatoire, a record that had not been made since Mozart, one hundred and thirty-three years before, achieved the same feat. For two years Mr. Spalding studied in Paris and he made his professional debut in June, 1906, at the Noveau Theatre in that city. His career has led him through France, Germany, Italy and other European countries and he triumphed wherever he appeared. His concerts in this country are musical sensations and his fol lowing is becoming larger and more enthusiastic each year. Besides being a master of the violin, Mr. Spalding is a composer of note, having a number of beautiful and artistic compositions to his credit. LOU CHIHA "FRISCO," Xylophonist Lou Chiha "Frisco," the first xylophone soloist to attain sufficient skill to manipulate four hammers at one time, was born in Chicago on July 10, 1891. He started his musical studies at the age of seven years and was given professional recognition at the age of sixteen years, although making public appearances several times before his professional career commenced. For a number of years "Frisco" appeared with some of the largest bands in the United States and Canada as a drummer and tympanist and xylophone soloist. In 1913 he entered vaudeville and met with great success. He was contemplating a tour of the world when the European war commenced and made it necessary for him to change his plans. The four-part harmony xylophone records that he has made for the Edison catalog are the first of the kind ever produced and they are unique and highly musical. EUGENE A. JAUDAS, Orchestra Leader Eugene A. Jaudas, violinist and leader of the famous Jaudas' Society Orchestra, was born in New York on October 11, 1869, and has been a resident of that city for the greater part of his life. He had the advantage of a thorough musical education during his boyhood, studying the violin under a number of well-known teachers. He became connected with the Edison studios in 1900, since when he has made several Blue Amberol violin records, but is best known as the leader of the Jaudas' Society Orchestra, a widely known musical organization, which has contributed a long list of exceptionally high class dance records to the Edison Blue Amberol catalog. PALAKIKO FERREIRA, Guitar Palakiko Ferreira, the Hawaiian guitar soloist, who appears on the July list of Blue Amberol records in a duet with Helen Louise, is of Spanish descent and was born in Honolulu. He is thoroughly educated in Hawaiian folk songs, now so rapidly disappearing, and was the first to introduce the steel guitar in the United States. This was in California in 1900 and since that time this instrument of peculiar make has become highly popular for the rendition of Hawaiian music. Ferreira uses it to perfection. His touch is perfect, giving a wonderfully clear tone, and his technical mastery of the instrument unsurpassed.