Pearl White at Shea's Buffalo, 1964

Pearl White was one of America's best-loved theatre organists. She was a child prodigy and probably the youngest organist playing for silent movies in Chicago theatres during the 1920s. She also was making piano rolls in 1925, about the time she turned 15. This performance was recorded at Shea's Buffalo in 1964, during the Ameican Theatre Organ Enthusiasts (now Society) national convention. The crowd went wild for her "double stuff" a rhythm pattern she came up with while cutting piano rolls. October 26, 2010 would have been her 100th birthday. Happy Century, Pearl!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pearl White
• Chicago
• theatre pipe organ
• 1920s jazz
• organist

[Jcleveland5964]

Pearl must have been Rosa Rios counter part ?

[OrpheumDennis]

@Jcleveland5964 Rosa and Pearl "counterparts"? I don't know. They were very different people. Pearl lived to age 67, Rosa to 107. There were many women in the theatre organ field – Ann Leaf, Helen Crawford, Edna Sellers, Irma Glen, Dessa Byrd, Mildred Fitzpatrick, Irene Allen, Basil Crystal Burns, Iris Vining, Louella Wickham – just to name a few. In their generation, they all had unique styles, but Pearl's may have been the most recognizable, with her own special brand of "Chicago Rhythm".

[OrpheumDennis]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, Dean. Pearl was a dear friend. I have more of her music, which I will post soon. I also have lots of John Muri and some of Tom Sheen. These organists need to be heard and not allowed to slip from our memory.

[autopiano]

Thanks so much for uploading these - I have a few, treasured, Pearl White piano rolls, including 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'! It's great to talk with someone who knew Pearl personally. Did she tell you anything about her days recording rolls for the Capitol roll company in Chicago?

[wurlitzer76]

Organ sounds magnificent.

[organbrett]

OH MY GOD!!! Please post as much of this as you can because I've been a huge fan ever since Walter (Strony) played the tribute latin piece during his introduction of Allen's fabulous "Silver Cloud" custom theatre organ. I was beginning to think I'd never get to hear a recording of her playing. This absolutely made my day!!!

[Organsk8er]

These audio clips are AWESOME, Dennis, thanks SO much for posting these! There isn't nearly enough of her music around!

[Diapasonic]

God, but Pearl could have whupped everyone's butt these days! George Wright always said she had a "bigger pair" than he did.

[theatreorganman]

Dennis, thanks for sharing the artistry of one-of-a-kind Pearl! I'm not sure who was having more fun at Shea's that day--the audience or the artist! Either way, this is a sacred archive for lovers of theatre organ everywhere. Kudos to you for such an equally fine presentation.

[alamedaOrgan]

I was there, and this wonderful tribute to her 100th birthday makes it feel like yesterday that the program happened. Thanks, Dennis. How would any of you like to play after her? Well, Gaylord Carter did it! I never heard Gaylord play better.