The Society Band of Tal Henry

Tal Henry

Source: Last FM

Born on 10 July 1898 in Maysville, Georgia, violinist and hotel sweet band director, Tal Henry, performed music for only a couple of decades. The DAHR sessionography has him recording only nineteen titles to issue. He joined the Frank Hood band in North Carolina in 1919, to become its leader in 1924. That band would become the North Carolinians Orchestra, though it recorded a couple unreleased tracks for Victor as Tal Henry's Southerners Dance Orchestra in 1924. That same year Henry published his first composition, 'Skirts', written the year prior with Guy Funk. The North Carolinians Orchestra recorded that in 1926 with 'Slippery Elm', neither issued. .

On 25 April 1928 the North Carolinians Orchestra put away 'My Song of Songs to You' with 'Some Little Someone' (Victor 21404). 'Why Do You Make Me Lonesome?' got issued on Victor 21573 with 'Louise, I Love You', the latter gone down with other titles on 22 May.

'I Know Why I Think of You'   Tal Henry (violin) and His North Carolinians

5 Dec 1928 in NYC   Matrix BVE-48429   Victor V40133

Cornet: Gordon Martin / Doc Dibert   Trumpet / banjo: Ivan Morris

Trombone: Chet Lincoln

Clarinet / various sax: Walter Fellman / Walter Brown / Francis Ellsworth

Piano: Paul Kenestrick   Tuba: Chester Shaw   Drums: Charlie Hudson

Vocal: Harold Madsen

Music: Tal Henry   Lyrics: Hank Hauser

'Shame On You'   Tal Henry (violin) and His North Carolinians

5 Dec 1928 in NYC   Matrix BVE-48431-2   Victor V40133

Cornet: Gordon Martin / Doc Dibert   Trumpet / banjo: Ivan Morris

Trombone: Chet Lincoln

Clarinet / various sax: Walter Fellman / Walter Brown / Francis Ellsworth

Piano: Paul Kenestrick   Tuba: Chester Shaw   Drums: Charlie Hudson

Vocals: Ivan Morris / Walter Brown / Walter Fellman

Music: Tal Henry   Lyrics: Ivan Morris

IMDb has Henry's band featured in the Vitaphone short film, 'Tal Henry and His North Carolinians', in 1929 performing 'Come On, Baby!', 'Shame on You' and 'Milenberg Joys'. Henry toured the United States extensively with the North Carolinians for another nine years though his last known recording session was held on 7 February 1934 in New York City.

'Milenberg Joys'   Tal Henry (violin) and His North Carolinians

From the short film 'Tal Henry and His North Carolinians'

Vitaphone reel 732 released 10 April 1929

Cornet: Gordon Martin / Doc Dibert   Trumpet / banjo / vocal: Ivan Morris

Trombone / vocal: Chet Lincoln

Clarinet / various sax: Walter Fellman / Walter Brown / Francis Ellsworth

Piano: Paul Kenestrick   Guitar: Harold Madsen

Bass brass: Chester Shaw   Drums: Charlie Hudson

Composition: Leon Rappolo / Paul Mares / Jelly Roll Morton

In 1938 Henry disbanded his North Carolinians, moving on to become an agent and manager for various musicians, including Lionel Hampton and Nat King Cole. During World War II he became European Director of Music Theatre for the Army, visiting Europe in that capacity. Upon his return to the States he worked as an organist at the King Cotton Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, before forming his North Carolina Symphony Orchestra with which he performed until his retirement from the music industry in 1946. He later died on 12 August 1967 and was buried in Greensboro, North Carolina.