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MMD > Archives > January 2009 > 2009.01.22 > 07Prev  Next


Jean Goldkette, Imperial Piano Roll Artist
By Erik York

Hello all MMD'ers,  I recently found in my collection an early Imperial
roll played by Jean Goldkette, who was a famous orchestra director of
the 1920s and '30s.  It is "Imperial: Handplayed 55930 - La Seduccion
(Tango Mondain) Slow Fox trot G. Novetti played by Jean Goldkette".

I immediately tried searching to see if I could find reference to
his visit(s) to Imperial, but was yielded very little.  One reference
in fact to his playing for Imperial was found on the "Red Hot Jazz"
archives here: http://www.redhotjazz.com/bix.html  It credits Jean with
the same roll, but nothing further.  Since I have seen Imperial recycle
certain rolls for their Recordo series, perhaps a Recordo roll by him
exists of "La Sedducion".  Another site: http://nfo.net/usa/g1.html 
states,

  "Probably, March, 1916 was Jean's first entry into the real music
  world when he was featured in the Imperial Player Roll Company
  bulletin as "The International Dance Sensation"; playing a fox trot
  titled 'La Seduccion'.  Price - 50 cents."

I am wondering if he played any other piano rolls or if anyone
knows more about his visit(s)?  Considering he studied at a music
conservatory in Chicago, where Imperial was based, it is intriguing.
"Red Hot Jazz" states that he was a classically trained concert pianist
originally, and the style of the playing on the roll fits this to a tee.

I would love to offer this roll for scanning if it hasn't been done yet.
While I posses a mk3 scanner with which I will initially scan in the
roll, all the dynamic markings and printed matter may be significant
enough to require a more accurate mk4 scan.  If anyone would like to
borrow the roll for mk4 scanning I would be delighted to hear back
from you.  I have a photo of the roll label for all those interested
(a scanned MIDI or MP3 may soon follow, time permitting).

From a very cold and surprisingly dry Oregon,
Erik York


(Message sent Thu 22 Jan 2009, 09:14:05 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Artist, Goldkette, Imperial, Jean, Piano, Roll

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