Sam Lanin

Do Something by Sam Lanin's Dance Orchestra on Banner Records

Samuel Charles Lanin (born September 4, 1891 in the Russian Empire , † May 5, 1977 in Hollywood , Florida ) was a Russian- American musician and conductor of early jazz . Although Lanin rarely appeared on recordings as a soloist and none of his singles became a hit in any way, he is known for his extensive work.

Live and act

Childhood and youth

Sam Lanin was one of ten children of a Russian - Jewish immigrant family who immigrated to the United States at the turn of the century. It is controversial whether Lanin was born in Russia or was only born in the United States. His parents Benjamin and Mary Lanin moved their children to Philadelphia , where Lanin grew up. As a child he learned to play the violin and clarinet .

Career

Around 1912 Lanin played as a clarinetist in Victor Herbert's orchestra. When the First World War broke out , he enlisted in the US Navy , but did his military service in the United States. As a soldier he played in an army orchestra and led his own band. After 1918 Lanin was already playing in New York City in the Roseland Ballroom in Times Square (corner of Broadway , 5th Street), the "Home of the Refined Dancing". During the time Lanin was leading his orchestra, it was the most famous dance hall in the country.

Lanin made his first commercial recordings on April 28, 1920 for Columbia Records . The single was released as Lanin's Roseland Orchestra . A year later, Lanin began recording for the Starr Piano Company . He played various jazz recordings at Starr's Gennett Records label . The records were released under the names Lanin's Famous Players and Lanin's Southern Serenaders . The line-up of his orchestra changed constantly, but musicians such as Phil Napoleon , Miff Mole , Jules Levy Jr. and (from 1923) Red Nichols can be heard regularly on Lanin's recordings. In these early years he also took part in his recordings as an active musician from time to time. He played drums on a few tracks , and in 1921 he sang the chorus in Shake It and Break It .

There Ain't No Land Like Dixieland To Me , 1927

After Lanin made his last appearance at the Roseland Ballroom in May 1925, he turned more to the radio . Since 1923 he was to be heard regularly in the program of the station WHN; Lanin and his newly formed orchestra, the Ipana Troubadors , made their first appearance on WEAF and WOO in June 1925 . At this time he made numerous records for Columbia's sublabels . Over the years a Lanin record has been released by almost every record company in the United States, making him one of the most active musicians of the decade; this resulted in an almost incomprehensible work of recordings. Lanin has also conducted numerous studio bands and background groups. During these years he worked with musicians such as Red Nichols, Tommy Dorsey , Jimmy Dorsey , Manny Klein , Jack Teagarden , Jimmy McPartland , Eddie Lang , Bix Beiderbecke and Benny Goodman . On December 28, 1928, young Bing Crosby also sang for Lanin. Crosby was actually engaged in Paul Whiteman's orchestra and can be heard on Lanin's songs I'll Get By As Long as I Have You and Rose of Mandalay . Another session with Crosby was recorded in January 1929.

In 1931 Lanin received a show at WABC in New York. He also played more plates at Columbia one, but the music industry suffered during these years a deep cut through the global economic crisis : 1932 was Lanins radio program deleted; The recordings also became more sparse: Lanin's time as orchestra conductor was over. He worked for a record company until 1937, but then withdrew from the music business and retired. Lanin was doing very well privately, having made enough money in the 1920s.

Lanin died in Hollywood, Florida in 1977.

Web links

• Sam Lanin at Discogs (English)
• Biography (English)
• Entry on Allmusic
• Discography of the Lucky Seven
• Bell Hops Discography