Paul Specht's Georgians - One More Night
- 15 years ago
It is difficult to summarize Paul Specht's rich and versatile career as a musician in this small text box. Specht (1895-1954) was an American dance bandleader popular in the '20s and early 30's.
He was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right. He attended Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia, and led his first band in 1916, which toured the Western United States during World War I. His first group that gained recognition was known as Specht’s Society Serenaders and their first breakthrough was at the Club Alamac, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He claimed to have organized, coached and sponsored: The Georgians, Jan Garber Orchestra, the Wolverines, Willie Creager and many more. He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924. Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and union woes. He did not return to England after 1926. Besides the UK he played in England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Australia, and China. He made four European trips - 1923, 1924 (with Hal Kemp’s original Carolina Club Orchestra), 1926 and 1928(?). 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. In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of US President Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman. 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. 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 in New York City.A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, Art Christmas and Chauncey Morehouse. This wonderful recording was made in 1928. Vocal by Jimmy Morris.
He was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right. He attended Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia, and led his first band in 1916, which toured the Western United States during World War I. His first group that gained recognition was known as Specht’s Society Serenaders and their first breakthrough was at the Club Alamac, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He claimed to have organized, coached and sponsored: The Georgians, Jan Garber Orchestra, the Wolverines, Willie Creager and many more. He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924. Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and union woes. He did not return to England after 1926. Besides the UK he played in England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Australia, and China. He made four European trips - 1923, 1924 (with Hal Kemp’s original Carolina Club Orchestra), 1926 and 1928(?). 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. In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of US President Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman. 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. 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 in New York City.A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, Art Christmas and Chauncey Morehouse. This wonderful recording was made in 1928. Vocal by Jimmy Morris.