Charles A. Prince
Encyclopedia
Charles Adams Prince was an American
bandleader
, pianist
and organist
known for conducting the Columbia Orchestra and, later, Prince's Band and Orchestra. He made his first recordings as a pianist in 1891 for the New York Phonograph Co. Later in the 1890s he worked as a musical director for Columbia Records
and also conducted the Columbia Orchestra.
In 1905, Prince assembled a group called "Princes Band and Orchestra". They recorded for Columbia and featured much of the same material as the Columbia Band. Prince's own composition, "The Barbary Rag", was recorded by the band in 1913.
Prince's Band was the first to record many now popular jazz standards. Their version of W. C. Handy
's "St. Louis Blues" in 1915 is the first known recording of the song. It took the band two sessions to record a successful take, which was considered unusual considering the talent of the band and its leader. Another Handy's song, "The Memphis Blues
", was recorded by Prince's Band in 1914, a week after its introduction by the Victor Military Band. Other standards introduced by the band are Porter Steele's "High Society" (1911) and Lew Pollack
and Ray Gilbert
's "That's a Plenty
" (1914).
Prince conducted Richard Wagner
's "Rienzi Overture" in 1917 for Columbia's first classical music
release. Prince's last recording for Columbia was in 1922. He then changed labels to Puritan Records
and later to Victor Records, where he worked as associate musical director.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
known for conducting the Columbia Orchestra and, later, Prince's Band and Orchestra. He made his first recordings as a pianist in 1891 for the New York Phonograph Co. Later in the 1890s he worked as a musical director for Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
and also conducted the Columbia Orchestra.
In 1905, Prince assembled a group called "Princes Band and Orchestra". They recorded for Columbia and featured much of the same material as the Columbia Band. Prince's own composition, "The Barbary Rag", was recorded by the band in 1913.
Prince's Band was the first to record many now popular jazz standards. Their version of W. C. Handy
W. C. Handy
William Christopher Handy was a blues composer and musician. He was widely known as the "Father of the Blues"....
's "St. Louis Blues" in 1915 is the first known recording of the song. It took the band two sessions to record a successful take, which was considered unusual considering the talent of the band and its leader. Another Handy's song, "The Memphis Blues
The Memphis Blues
"The Memphis Blues" is a song described by its composer, W.C. Handy, as a "Southern Rag." It was self-published by Handy in September, 1912 and has been recorded by many artists over the years.-"Mr. Crump":...
", was recorded by Prince's Band in 1914, a week after its introduction by the Victor Military Band. Other standards introduced by the band are Porter Steele's "High Society" (1911) and Lew Pollack
Lew Pollack
Lew Pollack was a song composer active during the 1920s and the 1930s.Pollack was born in New York. Among his best known songs are "Charmaine" and "Diane" with Ernö Rapée, "Miss Annabelle Lee", "Two Cigarettes in the Dark", "At the Codfish Ball" , and Go In and Out The Window, now a...
and Ray Gilbert
Ray Gilbert
Ray Gilbert was a lyricist.Gilbert is best remembered for the lyrics to the Oscar winning song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" from the film Song of the South, which he wrote with Allie Wrubel in 1947.He married, in 1962, actress Janis Paige.Daughter, actress and singer Joanne Gilbert, July...
's "That's a Plenty
That's a Plenty (song)
"That's a Plenty" is a 1914 ragtime piano piece composed by Lew Pollack. Lyrics by Ray Gilbert were added later to turn the ragtime piece into a vocal song . Freddy Martin and His Orchestra recorded a version of "That's A Plenty" in 1950. Sheet music from the 1950 version featuring Freddy Martin on...
" (1914).
Prince conducted Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
's "Rienzi Overture" in 1917 for Columbia's first classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
release. Prince's last recording for Columbia was in 1922. He then changed labels to Puritan Records
Puritan Records
Puritan Records was a United States based record label of the 1920s. Puritan debuted in 1920. The label was owned by the United Phonographs Corporation of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1922 the label was passed to the ownership of the Bridgeport Die and Machine Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, which...
and later to Victor Records, where he worked as associate musical director.