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{{Short description|American dance bandleader}}
⚫
'''Paul Specht''' (March 24, 1895, [[Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania]] - April 11, 1954, [[New York City]]) was an American dance bandleader popular in the 1920s.
{{Infobox person
| name = Paul Specht
| image = Paul Specht LCCN2014717479 (cropped).jpg
| alt = Paul Specht photo
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = March 24, 1895
| birth_place = [[Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania]]
| death_date = April 11, 1954 (aged 59)
| death_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = Bandleader
| alma_mater =
| spouse =
| children =
| parents =
| known_for =
}}
⚫
'''Paul Specht''' (March 24, 1895 – April 11, 1954) was an American dance [[bandleader]] popular in the 1920s.


==Biography ==
Specht was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right.<ref name=specht1>[http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht.htm Paul Specht], mgthomas.co.uk. Accessed May 29, 2008.</ref> He attended [[Combs Conservatory]] in [[Philadelphia]], and led his first band in 1916,<ref name=amg>[[Scott Yanow]], [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wvfexqlaldje Paul Specht (1925-1931) Review], [[All Music Guide]]</ref> which toured the Western United States during [[World War I]]. He signed with [[Columbia Records]] in 1922, playing both with a larger dance ensemble and with a smaller, more [[jazz]]-oriented unit called The Georgians.
Born in [[Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania]], Specht was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right.<ref name=specht1>{{cite web|title=Part One: The early years and The Georgians|url=http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht.htm|website=Dance Band Encyclopaedia|accessdate=30 July 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730013834/http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht.htm|archivedate=30 July 2017}}</ref> He attended [[Combs Conservatory]] in [[Philadelphia]], and led his first band in 1916,<ref name=amg>[[Scott Yanow]], [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r661239|pure_url=yes}} Paul Specht (1925-1931) Review], [[Allmusic]]</ref> which toured the Western United States during [[World War I]]. He signed with [[Columbia Records]] in 1922, playing both with a larger dance ensemble and with a smaller, more [[jazz]]-oriented unit called [[The Georgians (American band)|The Georgians]]. One example of a Columbia recording is on Columbia # 27-D. Titled "Dear Old Lady", with the Hotel Alamac Orchestra and "Take, Oh Take Those Lips Away". This is on a Columbia record commonly known to record collectors as a "flag label".


He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924.<ref name=specht2>[http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%202.htm Paul Specht 2], mgthomas.co.uk.</ref> Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and [[union]] woes, which were documented regularly in the popular music press of the day.<ref name=specht2/> He did not return to England after 1926, having become thoroughtly dissatisfied with the treatment he received.<ref name=specht5>[http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%205.htm Paul Specht 5], mgthomas.co.uk</ref>
He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924.<ref name=specht2>{{cite web|title=Part Two: The Carolina Club Orchestra, and Specht's School for Jazz Musicians|url=http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%202.htm|website=Dance Band Encyclopaedia|accessdate=30 July 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730014305/http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%202.htm|archivedate=30 July 2017}}</ref> Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and [[Trade union|union]] woes, which were documented regularly in the popular music press of the day.<ref name=specht2/> He did not return to England after 1926, having become thoroughly dissatisfied with the treatment he received.<ref name=specht5>{{cite web|title=Part Five: Paul Specht; the later years|url=http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%205.htm|website=Dance Band Encyclopaedia|accessdate=30 July 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730014947/http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%205.htm|archivedate=30 July 2017}}</ref>


[[File:Paul Specht Orch Bain Collection (cropped).jpg|thumb|Paul Specht (extreme right) with his orchestra in the early 1920s.]]
Specht's ensemble was the first orchestra to broadcast for the [[RCA]] company, and was the first ensemble to film after the end of the [[silent film|silent era]].<ref name=fag>[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7289189 Paul Specht] at [[Find-A-Grave]]</ref> In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the [[inauguration]] of [[Herbert Hoover]], chosen over [[Paul Whiteman]].<ref name=fag/> He continued to be popular into the 1930s, and led bands into the 1940s, during which time he developed [[arthritis]] which hampered his musical abilities.<ref name=specht5/> He lived in [[Greenwich Village]] late in his life and did arranging work for radio and television. He died in 1954 at the age of 59.
Specht primarily recorded for Columbia from 1922 through his final commercially released records in 1932. Specht's ensemble was the first orchestra to broadcast for the [[RCA]] company, and was the first ensemble to film after the end of the [[silent film|silent era]]. In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the [[inauguration]] of [[Herbert Hoover]], chosen over [[Paul Whiteman]]. As a radio bandleader in 1932, his band and the [[Three X Sisters]] harmony trio collaborated on ABC radio airwaves for several different musical formats. He continued to be popular into the 1930s, and led bands into the 1940s, during which time he developed [[arthritis]] which hampered his musical abilities.<ref name=specht5/> He lived in [[Greenwich Village]] late in his life and did arranging work for radio and television.

Specht died in April 1954 at the age of 59 in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lee|first1=William F.|title=American Big Bands|date=2005|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780634080548|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanbigbands00leew/page/23 23]|url=https://archive.org/details/americanbigbands00leew|url-access=registration|quote=Harlow Wilcox announcer.|accessdate=30 July 2017|language=en}}</ref>

==Musicians ==
A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including [[Hank D'Amico]], [[Russ Morgan]], [[Sylvester Ahola]], [[Arthur Schutt]], [[Charlie Spivak]], [[Joe Tarto]], [[Art Christmas]], [[Chauncey Morehouse]], Clarence Zylman, and Lou Calabrese (Lou Breese).


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110379 Paul Specht recordings] at the [[Discography of American Historical Recordings]].
* {{Discogs artist|Paul Specht}}
* {{IMDb name|0817425}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnBuKwHZgVM Why April 11, 1954 Is Statistically The Most Boring Day Ever] Mentions Specht as the most important person to die that day.

{{Authority control}}


{{BD|1895|1954|Specht, Paul}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Specht, Paul}}
[[Category:1895 births]]
[[Category:1954 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American bandleaders]]
[[Category:American bandleaders]]
[[Category:American violinists]]
[[Category:American male violinists]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:20th-century American conductors (music)]]
[[Category:20th-century American violinists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]

Latest revision as of 00:26, 6 March 2024

Paul Specht
Paul Specht photo
BornMarch 24, 1895
Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
DiedApril 11, 1954 (aged 59)
New York City, New York
OccupationBandleader

Paul Specht (March 24, 1895 – April 11, 1954) was an American dance bandleader popular in the 1920s.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, Specht was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right.[1] He attended Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia, and led his first band in 1916,[2] which toured the Western United States during World War I. He signed with Columbia Records in 1922, playing both with a larger dance ensemble and with a smaller, more jazz-oriented unit called The Georgians. One example of a Columbia recording is on Columbia # 27-D. Titled "Dear Old Lady", with the Hotel Alamac Orchestra and "Take, Oh Take Those Lips Away". This is on a Columbia record commonly known to record collectors as a "flag label".

He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924.[3] Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and union woes, which were documented regularly in the popular music press of the day.[3] He did not return to England after 1926, having become thoroughly dissatisfied with the treatment he received.[4]

Paul Specht (extreme right) with his orchestra in the early 1920s.

Specht primarily recorded for Columbia from 1922 through his final commercially released records in 1932. Specht's ensemble was the first orchestra to broadcast for the RCA company, and was the first ensemble to film after the end of the silent era. In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of Herbert Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman. As a radio bandleader in 1932, his band and the Three X Sisters harmony trio collaborated on ABC radio airwaves for several different musical formats. He continued to be popular into the 1930s, and led bands into the 1940s, during which time he developed arthritis which hampered his musical abilities.[4] He lived in Greenwich Village late in his life and did arranging work for radio and television.

Specht died in April 1954 at the age of 59 in New York City.[5]

Musicians

[edit]

A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, Charlie Spivak, Joe Tarto, Art Christmas, Chauncey Morehouse, Clarence Zylman, and Lou Calabrese (Lou Breese).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Part One: The early years and The Georgians". Dance Band Encyclopaedia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. ^ Scott Yanow, Paul Specht (1925-1931) Review, Allmusic
  3. ^ a b "Part Two: The Carolina Club Orchestra, and Specht's School for Jazz Musicians". Dance Band Encyclopaedia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Part Five: Paul Specht; the later years". Dance Band Encyclopaedia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. ^ Lee, William F. (2005). American Big Bands. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 23. ISBN 9780634080548. Retrieved 30 July 2017. Harlow Wilcox announcer.
[edit]
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