Jean Goldkette Orch - She's Funny That Way (1929)

John Jean Goldkette (March 18,1893 - March 24,1962) was a jazz pianist and bandleader born in Patras, Greece. Goldkette spent his childhood in Greece and Russia, and emigrated to the United States in 1911.

He led many jazz and dance bands, of which the best known was his Victor Recording Orchestra of 1924 1929, which included, at various times, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael, Chauncey Morehouse, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Bill Rank, Eddie Lang, Frankie Trumbauer, Pee Wee Russell, Steve Brown, Doc Ryker and Joe Venuti, among others. Vocalists included the Keller Sisters and Lynch. In his Jazz Masters of the Thirties, Rex Stewart, a member of Fletcher Henderson's band at the time, writes that the Goldkette band's innovative arrangements and strong rhythm made it the best dance band of its day and "the first original white swing band in jazz history." Jean was also the Music Director for the Detroit Athletic Club for over 20 years, and was also co-owner of the legendary Graystone Ballroom with Charles Horvath, who also performed with the Goldkette Victor Band in its early years. Jean owned his own entertainment company called "Jean Goldkette's Orchestras and Attractions," and worked out of the still-standing Book-Cadillac Hotel in Detroit. He co-wrote the song "It's the Blues (No. 14 Blues)" which was recorded in Detroit, Michigan and released on Victor.

In 1927, Paul Whiteman, the controversially self-proclaimed "King of Jazz," hired away most of Goldkette's better players due to Goldkette not being able to meet the payroll for his top-notch musicians. Goldkette later helped organize McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Glen Gray's Orange Blossoms, which became famous as the Casa Loma Orchestra. In the 1930s he left jazz to work as a booking agent and classical pianist. In the mid 30's, Jean filed for bankruptcy, showing over $200,000 in debts, and only $.40 in assets.

In 1939, he organized the American Symphony Orchestra which debuted at Carnegie Hall, and also married for the first time, to a lady named Lee McQuillen from New York City. Frankie Laine worked as Goldkette's librarian, and also lived with Jean and Lee in their hotel while in New York.

He moved to California in 1961, and the following year died in Santa Barbara, California, of a heart attack. He took a taxi to the hospital by himself, and died that same day. He is buried in the Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, California, along with other members of the Goldkette family.


Jean Goldkette Orch - She's Funny That Way (1929)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jean
• Goldkette
• 1929
• 20s
• 30s

[heinbanjo12]

The picture is Fletcher Henderson's orchestra with Louis Armstrong.

[edmundusrex]

Thanks for the advice.

It's only one of many mistakes in my live . . .

[RETROMEDIAPERU]

SOUNDS LIKE TOM Y JERRY OST

[teebeesea]

Van Fleming made a number of wonderful vocal records, both solo and choruses with dance bands...this is one of his best...and a prime example of a great post-Bix Goldkette record!

[MrJimmienoone]

Most Goldkette records are relatively conventional and dull, and leave us wondering how this band could once "cut" Fletcher Henderson (acc. to the memoirs of Rex Stewart). This take offers a hint why that could happen.

[kw94544]

I used to listen to a version of this on a Brunswick I believe. I can still recall it but can't recall the singer, Jack somebody? Does anybody know about or have a copy of that. I think it's the best version of this song I've ever heard but I don't have it any more. The other side might have been "I'm just a vagabong lover" (not by Maurice Chevalier)

[fromthesidelines]

Harold Stokes conducted this session, recorded in Chicago on January 17, 1929.

[Gadomska]

Vocal Refrain by Van Fleming.Thanks.

[Corrie121]

Thank you for sharing this brilliant post.

[heinbanjo12]

@edmundusrex I always like your uploads. And yes :" You look like a humanbeing" Till tomorrow, with a new beautifull tune. Hein

[aerofredywr]

Don´t worry, nobody´s perfect. You are doing a wonderful job posting great videos.