HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Roger Wolfe Kahn

Birth of Jazz: Roger Kahn

Roger Wolfe Kahn

Roger Wolfe Kahn was born in Morristown, NJ, on 19 October 1907 to a wealthy Jewish banking family. Playing violin among multiple instruments, Khan was only 16 when he put together his own orchestra. Kahn first recorded with his orchestra in 1924, though neither title was released: 'Mary, what do you do Sunday' and 'You'. His first issued recordings were put away on 10 March 1925 toeward 'Hot-Hot-Hottentot' and 'Yearning' on Victor 19616. Recording often into November 1932, he and his orchestra had been the feature of the film, 'The Yacht Party', released in September 1932. He had also written the music for a couple Broadway musicals in 1928: 'Here's Howe' and 'Americana'. Kahn, however, was also an aviator, having developed his interest in aviation as a child from frequent flights with his parents between America and Europe. Having been a pilot since about 1928 if not earlier, in 1933 he shelved his baton altogether to pursue employment on Long Island as a test pilot with the aircraft manufacturer, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. He performed with his orchestra one last time for a reunion at the Roosevelt Field airport in New York in 1938. During his first session (below) he plays alto and tenor sax with several others on reeds.

'Hot Hot Hottentot' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Hotel Biltmore Orchestra

Recorded 10 March 1925 in NYC Victor 19616 1st recording to issue

Trumpet: Tommy Gott / Earl Oliver Trombone: Chuck Campbell / Ephraim Hannaford

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Owen Bartlett / Morris Payes / Dick Johnson / Roger Kahn / William Tresize

Violin: Joe Raymond / Licco Liggy / William Tresize

Piano: Raymond Romano Banjo: Domenic Romeo Tuba: Arthur Campbell

Drums: Ken Whitmer Arrangement: Arthur Lange

Composition: Sam Devere

'A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich, and You' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 15 Dec 1925 in NYC Victor 19935

Composition: Billy Rose / Al Dubin / Joseph Meyer

Among big names who passed through Kahn's orchestra were Mannie Klein, Miff Mole, Jack Teagarden, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. His best-selling issue had been 'Russian Lullaby' which topped the charts in 1927. Performing highly on the popularity charts during his career, Kahn placed 10 releases into the Top Ten from 1926 to 1932:

   Feb 1926 #9 I'm Sitting on Top of the World
   March 1926 #8 A Little Bungalow
   Sep 1926 #4 Mountain Greenery
   Oct 1926 #8 Cross Your Heart
   1927 #9 Clap Yo' Hands
   1927 #5 Sometimes I'm Happy
   1927 #1 Russian Lullaby
   1928 # 10 Crazy Rhythm
   1928 # 6 Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella
   1932 # 8 My Silent Love

'At Peace with the World' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 6 May 1926 in NYC Matrix 35372-3 Victor 20045

Composition: Irving Berlin

'I'd Climb the Highest Mountain' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 6 May 1926 in NYC Matrix 35373-2 Victor 20045

Composition: Sidney Clare / Lew Brown

'Clap Yo' Hands' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 4 Nov 1926 in NYC Victor 20327 Charts #9

Composition: George & Ira Gershwin

'Following You Around' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 11 Jan 1927 in NYC Victor 20573

Composition: Roger Wolfe Kahn

'I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 2 March 1927 in NYC Victor 20573 Charts #11

Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Clarence Gaskill

'Russian Lullaby' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 14 April 1927 in NYC Victor 20602 Charts #1

Vocal: Henri Garden Composition: Irving Berlin

'South Wind' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 28 April 1927 in NYC Victor 20645

Music: Ray Henderson Lyrics: Buddy De Sylva / Lew Brown

'An Old Guitar and an Old Refrain' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 15 Nov 1927 in NYC Victor 21078

Vocal: Franklyn Baur Composition: Neil Moret / Ben Black

'Crazy Rhythm' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 12 April 1928 in NYC 1 of 2 takes both issued on Victor 21368

Vocal: Franklyn Baur Composition: Irving Caesar / Joseph Meyer/ R.W. Kahn

'Lazy Day' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 4 May 1932 in NYC Columbia 2653-D

Trumpet: Ruby Weinstein / Frank Zullo Trombone: Leo Vauchant / Andy Russo

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Artie Shaw / Elmer Feldkamp / Larry Binyon and/or Max Farley

Piano: Russ Carlson Guitar: Perry Botkin Bass: Ward Lay

Drums / vibes: Chauncey Morehouse Vocal: Dick Robertson

Music: Grace Le Boy Lyrics: Gus Kahn

'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Film: 'The Yacht Party' featuring the Kahn-a-Sirs & Gertrude Nissen Released 29 Sep 1932

Personnel probably similar to above

Music: John Turner Layton Jr. 1922 Lyrics: Henry Creamer

'Sheltered By the Stars' Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra

Recorded 5 Aug 1932 in NYC Columbia 2697-D

Trumpet: Ruby Weinstein / Frank Zullo Trombone: Leo Vauchant / Andy Russo

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Artie Shaw / Del Porter / Larry Binyon and/or Max Farley

Piano: Russ Carlson Guitar: Perry Botkin Bass: Ward Lay

Drums / vibes: Chauncey Morehouse Vocals: The Kahn-a-Sirs

Music: Thomas Fats Waller Lyrics: Joe Young

Kahn's final recording may have been an instrumental of 'It Don't Mean a Thing' for a 'Lucky Strike Hour' radio broadcast in New York City on 15 November 1932, a transcription available on 'The Big Broadcast' issued on Rivermont BSW1141 CD in 2005. Kahn had put away a studio version six days earlier on the 9th with the Kahn-a-Sirs vocal group.