King of Jazz: PAUL WHITEMAN and Orchestra / John Steel 1925 Hippodrome Program

Description

This is a rare May 1925 souvenir program from the B. F. Keith's Bill of International Artists at the New York Hippodrome in New York City ..... One of the headliners, in his last week of the engagement, was PAUL WHITEMAN and his Concert Orchestra with celebrated American Tenor JOHN STEEL. Among the works presented were Whiteman's "Wonderful One" with the Violin Obligate by the composer and GEORGE GERSHWIN's "Lady Be Good" (
John Steel,
soloist) which was currently playing on Broadway at the Liberty Theatre
. Other acts included WILLIAM BRACK and his Company; STANELLI and DOUGLAS "Fiddle Fanatics"; POWER'S ELEPHANTS presented by George Powers; DU CALION "The Loquacious Laddier"; GEORGE HERMAN "The Dancing Skeleton"; HAMTREE HARRINGTON and CORA GREEN "Darktown Troubles" and "MAYTIME REVUE" with SAM BERK and JUANITA SAUN and the 18 Hippodrome Girls
.....
Biography: PAUL WHITEMAN (
1890
— 1967)
was an
American bandleader, called the “King of Jazz
” for popularizing a musical style that helped to introduce jazz to mainstream audiences during the 1920's and 1930's.
Whiteman, who was originally a violinist, conducted a 40-piece U.S. Navy band
in 1917–18 and then developed a hotel orchestra
in California, which he took to New York City
in 1920. He hired the best white jazz players, but he allowed little room for improvisation in his arrangements and greatly simplified jazz rhythms. He was successful as a co-composer of popular songs during the 1920's and led his orchestra in Broadway musicals.
Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin's
Rhapsody in Blue
and conducted it's premiere at Aeolian Hall, New York City, in 1924, with the composer as piano soloist. Whiteman also introduced the
Grand Canyon Suite
(1931) by Ferde Grofe,
who had arranged the
Rhapsody.
The
Rhapsody
became Whiteman’s theme, and he established the Whiteman Awards for compositions
in a “symphonic jazz” style. The 1930 film
King of Jazz
was the first of four in which his orchestra appeared. Whiteman was the host of several national radio programs during the 1930's, wrote three books
, and recorded extensively. His popularity waned in the late 1940's, but he came back as a television-series host in the 1950's and occasionally led bands up to the time of his death. (Britannica)
.....
DETAILS: The oversized 36 page program measures 8 5/8" X 11" inches and includes full production credits, list of acts, photos of several of the performers, beautiful
cover graphics, p
romotional text, a history of the Hippodrome and wonderful vintage advertising ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a small tear in the top edge of the front cover, creasing at the bottom of the back cover, the date written at the top of the first inside page and minor edge wear at the corners, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.