Paul Specht

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Paul Specht (March 24, 1895, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania - April 11, 1954, New York City) was an American dance bandleader popular in the 1920s.

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.

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 thoroughtly dissatisfied with the treatment he received.[4]

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.[5] In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of Herbert Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman.[5] 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. He died in 1954 at the age of 59.

A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, and Chauncey Morehouse.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Paul Specht, mgthomas.co.uk. Accessed May 29, 2008.
  2. ^ Scott Yanow, Paul Specht (1925-1931) Review, All Music Guide
  3. ^ a b Paul Specht 2, mgthomas.co.uk.
  4. ^ a b Paul Specht 5, mgthomas.co.uk
  5. ^ a b Paul Specht at Find-A-Grave