Music Trade Review
Issue: 1927 Vol. 84 N. 26 - Page 30
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
30
The Music Trade Review
GRETSCH
for
Trade
Mark
JUNE 25, 1927
Roy Smeck and the
Vita-Uke Make Hit
Well-known Ukulele Artist Big Feature at the
Annual Convention of the Music Industries
CHICAGO, 111., June 18.—Roy Smeck, the well-
known Vitaphone artist, has spread the interest
in ukulele playing here by recently completing
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS
a fourteen weeks' engagement on the Balaban
SINCE 1883
& Katz circuit of motion picture houses, coin-
cident with the music industries convention.
Nightly, after his final appearance at the the-
atre, he found his way to the headquarters of
the music convention at the Stevens Hotel and
delighted large crowds with impromptu per-
formances on the string instruments of which
he is so much the master.
The Roy Smeck Vita-Uke, which this well-
there was a combined ensemble by this band of the new park commissioner, Walter Herrick.
and the other band entrants, Duke's Harmonica The new commissioner has a genuine interest known artist uses in playing before the public
Syncopators and Keil's Harmonica Boys. Their in the development of young musical talent and as well as recording on the Vitaphone, is made
offerings were enthusiastically received by the took a personal interest in every detail of the by the Harmony Co., string instrument manu-
crowd.
contest. The spirit of the department was re- facturer, at 1738 North Lawndale avenue, this
Although there are still a large number of flected in the character of the audience, which city. The introduction of this new ukulele,
which he is sponsoring in his appearances
persons who associate harmonica playing with was well behaved and mannerly throughout.
jazz and simple melodies, it is interesting to
There were sixty-two individual contestants throughout the country, has aroused a great
note that more serious music predominated in and four harmonica bands entered in the finals deal of attention, for it combines a number of
the programs. Most of the contestants played of the contest and the playing lasted from 3 popular features of the ukulele with a new and
selections from Beethoven, Grieg, Massenet o'clock until 7, almost the entire crowd remain- brilliant tone.
and other classical composers. A number ing to the very end. Among the selections
Jay Kraus, president of the Harmony Co.,
played their own compositions and improvisa- included in the programs were:
announces that the instrument has captivated
tions, or original variations of popular numbers.
"Arioso" from "Pagliacci," Gossek's "Ga- the trade as well as the public and it is now
One young negro caught the fancy of the votte," "Melody in F," "Harlequin Serenade," handled by the leading jobbers. "With its
crowd with the clever accompaniment of his Beethoven's "Minuet in G," "Gypsy Love unusual tone and exceptionally pleasing design,
playing to a rendition of the Black Bottom.
Song," "Sweet and Low," Massenet's "Elegie," the instrument has enjoyed an immediate de-
The judges included Nathaniel Shilkret, mu- Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5," Moszkow- mand since its recent introduction," said Mr.
sical director of the Victor Talking Machine ski's "Spanish Dance," Mendelssohn's "Spring Kraus. "There are two sound holes cut in the
Co.; Oscar Thompson, executive editor of Song," "La Paloma," "Song of India" and shape of seals," he explained, "which we have
found to aid materially in producing the unusual
Musical America; Charles C. Green, former Schubert's "Serenade."
president of the New York Advertising Club,
The co-operation of the local music mer- volume and quality of tone."
and Philip Gordon, director of music in the chants was shown by the loan of a Christman
In addition to introducing the new Vita-Uke,
South Side High School, Newark, N. J. John & Sons piano for-the occasion.
Roy Smeck also performed on his elaborate
Philip Sousa was scheduled to act as a judge,
The contestants were marked by the judges new Bacon banjo and added a final touch to
but was unable to reach New York in time on the following basis: intonation and musical a unique demonstration by drawing haunting
for the program.
accuracy, 40 per cent; expression, 25 per cent; melodies from his new Octo-Chordo, a super-
sized guitar with eight strings in special ar-
Following the close of the contest all the selection, 20 per cent; rhythm, 15 per cent.
winners broadcast a special program from sta-
William J. Haussler, acknowledged the leading rangement. There are few players of string
tion WEAR
authority in the United States on the harmonica instruments who have the versatility and tech-
Contest officials expressed their gratification and harmonica music, made a short address to nic which he posseseses, and the title, "wizard
over the full co-operation extended by the New the audience, pointing out the fact that the win- of the strings," by which he is so well known,
York City Department of Parks, under the head ner of the contest five years ago has now is most appropriate.
become one of the country's leading musicians
and has a long-time contract with Publix the-
atres calling for several hundred dollars a week
salary, and that many of the youngsters who
have received musical instruments as prizes
have elected to follow a musical career.
Poster Distributed by Musical Instrument Ac-
Mr. Haussler also called attention to the fact
cessories Manufacturers Calls Attention of
that the bands in their offerings were achieving
Dealers to Opportunities Existing
wonderful four-part harmony effects, while a
few years ago anything of that sort was con-
Five thousand dealers are reached by the new
sidered out of the question for the harmonica. circular featuring vacation season opportunities
James V. Mulholland, director of playgrounds,
with Standard Approved fretted instruments,
also addressed the audience.
sent out by the National Association of Musi-
cal Instrument & Accessories Manufacturers. It
Sold by Representative
is in the form of a window poster and em-
Music Merchants
phasizes the need of musical entertainment in
KANSAS CITY, MO., June 21.—The J. W. Jenkins'
the "playtime of the year." Three new matrices
Sons Music Co. has moved its entire musical for local newspaper advertising are also offered
merchandise department to its new store at free to the dealer, upon his request. Hundreds
1217 Walnut avenue. Musical merchandise will
of these requests have already been received
GROTON, CONN.
no longer be handled at the company's main
from dealers throughout the country and who
store in this city.
are using them.
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
The Fred Gretsch
6O Broadway Broo
Stresses Vacation Time
in Latest Advertising
BACON
BANJOS
Played by Leading
Musicians and Orchestras
Jenkins Moves Small Goods
BACON BANJO CO., h e .
WAVERLY PRODUCTS
We make a complete line of accessories
for fretted Instruments. Demand Wav-
erly accessories on your Instruments.
OLIVER DTTSON CQ
y
O
BOSTON. MASS
NAZARETH,PA. ^ O
Waverly Musical Products Co.
71 Tenth St.
Long Island City, N. Y
LEFEBVRE PRODUCTS
Lefebvre Patented Reed Holders foi the Trade
Lefebvre Permanent Composition Reeds
Service Department
G. E. LEFEBVRE
505 The Arcade
Cleveland, O.
Importers and J*bb«ra • (
(Genuine MARTIN Cuiiars.
Mandolins, Ukuleles. Tiples
O ' NAZARETH, PA
O
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
Modern Service
•STABLItHBD 1M4
30
The Music Trade Review
GRETSCH
for
Trade
Mark
JUNE 25, 1927
Roy Smeck and the
Vita-Uke Make Hit
Well-known Ukulele Artist Big Feature at the
Annual Convention of the Music Industries
CHICAGO, 111., June 18.—Roy Smeck, the well-
known Vitaphone artist, has spread the interest
in ukulele playing here by recently completing
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS
a fourteen weeks' engagement on the Balaban
SINCE 1883
& Katz circuit of motion picture houses, coin-
cident with the music industries convention.
Nightly, after his final appearance at the the-
atre, he found his way to the headquarters of
the music convention at the Stevens Hotel and
delighted large crowds with impromptu per-
formances on the string instruments of which
he is so much the master.
The Roy Smeck Vita-Uke, which this well-
there was a combined ensemble by this band of the new park commissioner, Walter Herrick.
and the other band entrants, Duke's Harmonica The new commissioner has a genuine interest known artist uses in playing before the public
Syncopators and Keil's Harmonica Boys. Their in the development of young musical talent and as well as recording on the Vitaphone, is made
offerings were enthusiastically received by the took a personal interest in every detail of the by the Harmony Co., string instrument manu-
crowd.
contest. The spirit of the department was re- facturer, at 1738 North Lawndale avenue, this
Although there are still a large number of flected in the character of the audience, which city. The introduction of this new ukulele,
which he is sponsoring in his appearances
persons who associate harmonica playing with was well behaved and mannerly throughout.
jazz and simple melodies, it is interesting to
There were sixty-two individual contestants throughout the country, has aroused a great
note that more serious music predominated in and four harmonica bands entered in the finals deal of attention, for it combines a number of
the programs. Most of the contestants played of the contest and the playing lasted from 3 popular features of the ukulele with a new and
selections from Beethoven, Grieg, Massenet o'clock until 7, almost the entire crowd remain- brilliant tone.
and other classical composers. A number ing to the very end. Among the selections
Jay Kraus, president of the Harmony Co.,
played their own compositions and improvisa- included in the programs were:
announces that the instrument has captivated
tions, or original variations of popular numbers.
"Arioso" from "Pagliacci," Gossek's "Ga- the trade as well as the public and it is now
One young negro caught the fancy of the votte," "Melody in F," "Harlequin Serenade," handled by the leading jobbers. "With its
crowd with the clever accompaniment of his Beethoven's "Minuet in G," "Gypsy Love unusual tone and exceptionally pleasing design,
playing to a rendition of the Black Bottom.
Song," "Sweet and Low," Massenet's "Elegie," the instrument has enjoyed an immediate de-
The judges included Nathaniel Shilkret, mu- Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5," Moszkow- mand since its recent introduction," said Mr.
sical director of the Victor Talking Machine ski's "Spanish Dance," Mendelssohn's "Spring Kraus. "There are two sound holes cut in the
Co.; Oscar Thompson, executive editor of Song," "La Paloma," "Song of India" and shape of seals," he explained, "which we have
found to aid materially in producing the unusual
Musical America; Charles C. Green, former Schubert's "Serenade."
president of the New York Advertising Club,
The co-operation of the local music mer- volume and quality of tone."
and Philip Gordon, director of music in the chants was shown by the loan of a Christman
In addition to introducing the new Vita-Uke,
South Side High School, Newark, N. J. John & Sons piano for-the occasion.
Roy Smeck also performed on his elaborate
Philip Sousa was scheduled to act as a judge,
The contestants were marked by the judges new Bacon banjo and added a final touch to
but was unable to reach New York in time on the following basis: intonation and musical a unique demonstration by drawing haunting
for the program.
accuracy, 40 per cent; expression, 25 per cent; melodies from his new Octo-Chordo, a super-
sized guitar with eight strings in special ar-
Following the close of the contest all the selection, 20 per cent; rhythm, 15 per cent.
winners broadcast a special program from sta-
William J. Haussler, acknowledged the leading rangement. There are few players of string
tion WEAR
authority in the United States on the harmonica instruments who have the versatility and tech-
Contest officials expressed their gratification and harmonica music, made a short address to nic which he posseseses, and the title, "wizard
over the full co-operation extended by the New the audience, pointing out the fact that the win- of the strings," by which he is so well known,
York City Department of Parks, under the head ner of the contest five years ago has now is most appropriate.
become one of the country's leading musicians
and has a long-time contract with Publix the-
atres calling for several hundred dollars a week
salary, and that many of the youngsters who
have received musical instruments as prizes
have elected to follow a musical career.
Poster Distributed by Musical Instrument Ac-
Mr. Haussler also called attention to the fact
cessories Manufacturers Calls Attention of
that the bands in their offerings were achieving
Dealers to Opportunities Existing
wonderful four-part harmony effects, while a
few years ago anything of that sort was con-
Five thousand dealers are reached by the new
sidered out of the question for the harmonica. circular featuring vacation season opportunities
James V. Mulholland, director of playgrounds,
with Standard Approved fretted instruments,
also addressed the audience.
sent out by the National Association of Musi-
cal Instrument & Accessories Manufacturers. It
Sold by Representative
is in the form of a window poster and em-
Music Merchants
phasizes the need of musical entertainment in
KANSAS CITY, MO., June 21.—The J. W. Jenkins'
the "playtime of the year." Three new matrices
Sons Music Co. has moved its entire musical for local newspaper advertising are also offered
merchandise department to its new store at free to the dealer, upon his request. Hundreds
1217 Walnut avenue. Musical merchandise will
of these requests have already been received
GROTON, CONN.
no longer be handled at the company's main
from dealers throughout the country and who
store in this city.
are using them.
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
The Fred Gretsch
6O Broadway Broo
Stresses Vacation Time
in Latest Advertising
BACON
BANJOS
Played by Leading
Musicians and Orchestras
Jenkins Moves Small Goods
BACON BANJO CO., h e .
WAVERLY PRODUCTS
We make a complete line of accessories
for fretted Instruments. Demand Wav-
erly accessories on your Instruments.
OLIVER DTTSON CQ
y
O
BOSTON. MASS
NAZARETH,PA. ^ O
Waverly Musical Products Co.
71 Tenth St.
Long Island City, N. Y
LEFEBVRE PRODUCTS
Lefebvre Patented Reed Holders foi the Trade
Lefebvre Permanent Composition Reeds
Service Department
G. E. LEFEBVRE
505 The Arcade
Cleveland, O.
Importers and J*bb«ra • (
(Genuine MARTIN Cuiiars.
Mandolins, Ukuleles. Tiples
O ' NAZARETH, PA
O
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
Modern Service
•STABLItHBD 1M4
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