Jan Garber
Source: AFRS
Born Jacob Charles Garber on 5 November 1894 in Indianapolis, Jan Garber ("Idol of the Airwaves") was leading his first band by age 21 (1917). Following World War I Garber played violin in the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra before forming the Garber-Milton Orchestra with pianist Milton Davis in 1921. That band is thought to have grooved its first vinyl in December of 1921 for Columbia 80091: 'Jazz Me Blues' and ''O sole mio'. Garber laid tracks with the Garber/Davis Orchestra in 1922 and 1923. Its issue of 'Haunting Blues' reached #10 on the popularity charts in April 1923. Come 'You're in Kentucky Sure as You're Born' also finding #10 in May of 1924.
'Steamboat Sal' Garber-Davis Orchestra led by Garber
Recorded 5 October 1923 in NYC Victor 19175-A
Trumpet: Chelsea Quealey / Harry Goldfield Trombone: Johnny Cook
Alto sax / arrangement: Carlyle Stevenson Tenor sax: Tommy Christian
Clarinet / alto sax: Bill Grady or Russ Hoffman Piano: Milton Davis
Violin: Garber Banjo: Joe Astoria
Tuba: Joe Rhodes Drums: Steve Brodie
Composition: Henry Busse / William Raskin / Fred Fisher / Bob Causer
Garber's first recording with his own orchestra was 'Too Tired' on 4 October 1924, that gone unreleased. His first issued recording went down on 17 October 1924: 'If You Don't Want Me' (Victor 19496). That was followed by 'Too Tired' on 23 October toward Victor 19491. Garber's operation was largely that of a "sweet" band, that is, for popular dance with just enough jazz to keep things lively. Though Garber was strongly jazz-oriented, in which cases he ran a "hot" band, he kept enough rein on it to place 27 titles in the Top Ten from 'I Want to Be Happy' at #5 in December of 1924 to 'Concert in the Park' at #6 and 'It's Never Too Late' at #9 in 1939. His best-selling record overall was 'Baby Face' which reached #1 in September of 1926. Three more of his titles later topped the charts per 'All I Do Is Dream of You' (1934), 'A Beautiful Lady in Blue' (1936) and 'A Melody from the Sky' (1936).
'I Want to Be Happy' Jan Garber Orchestra
Recorded 2 July 1924 in Camden NJ Victor 19404 Charts: #5 Dec 1924
Composition: Vincent Youmans
'Don't Bring Lulu' Jan Garber Orchestra
Recorded 5 May 1925 in Camden NJ Victor 19661
Composition: Ray Henderson / Billy Rose / Lew Brown
'Baby Face' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Benny Davis
Recorded 29 June 1926 in Camden NJ Victor 20105 Charts: #1 Sep 1926
Composition: Ray Henderson / Billy Rose / Lew Brown
'There Ain't No Maybe In My Baby's Eyes' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Harry Goldfield
Recorded 8 Nov 1926 in Camden NJ Victor 20336
Music: Walter Donaldson Lyrics: Gus Kahn / Raymond Egan
'Positively Absolutely!' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Harry Goldfield
Recorded 16 May 1927 in NYC Matrix BVE-38752 Victor 20676-A
Composition: Jean Herbert / Sam Coslow
'What Do I Care What Somebody Said' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Charlie Warren
Recorded 16 May 1927 in NYC Matrix BVE-38753 Victor 20754 / Gramophone B-5349
Composition: Harry Woods / Sidney Clare
'Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Harry Goldfield
Recorded 14 Feb 1928 in NYC Columbia 1306-D
Composition: Howdy Quicksell / Ray Lodwig
'Was It a Dream?' at 2:46 Jan Garber Orchestra backing Sonny Faircloth
Recorded 15 Feb 1928 in NYC Columbia 1306-D / 4934 (UK) Charts: #10 1928
Composition: Sam Coslow / Addy Britt / Larry Spier
'Tin-ear' Jan Garber Orchestra
Recorded 18 Feb 1928 in NYC Columbia 1642-D / 4934 (UK)
Composition: Bob Effros / Phil Wall
'She's a Great Girl' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Harry Goldfield
Recorded 13 March 1928 in NYC Columbia 1372-D
Composition: Harry Woods
'Louisiana' Jan Garber Orchestra
Recorded 13 March 1928 in NYC Columbia 1372-D
Music: J. C. Johnson Lyrics: Andy Razaf / Bob Schafer
'Weary River' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Harry Spear
Recorded 18 Jan 1929 in NYC Columbia 1724-D
Composition: Grant Clarke / Louis Silvers
'All I Do Is Dream of You' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Fritz Heilbron
Recorded 8 May 1934 in Chicago Victor 24629 Charts: #1 1934
Composition: Nacio Brown / Arthur Freed
'Avalon' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Russ Brown
Recorded 13 Sep 1937 Brunswick 8039
Composition: Vincent Rose / Al Jolson
'Stardust' Jan Garber Orchestra backing Russ Brown
Recorded 16 Sep 1937 Brunswick 8039
Composition: Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
Garber continued recording into the sixties, leading bands until 1971, his final performance in Houston.
Medley by the Jan Garber Orchestra Television 1965
Garber died in Shreveport, Louisiana, on 5 October 1977.
Sources & References for Jan Garber:
VF History (notes)
Popularity Charts: MusicVF TsorT
Garber in Film: IMDb
Recordings: Catalogs:
Discogs (Jan Garber)
(Jan Garber Orchestra)Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (Jan Garber)
DAHR (Jan Garber Orchestra)
Tom Lord: leading 26 sessions
Brian Rust (The American Dance Band Discography 1917-1942 / Arlington House 1975)
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