Paramount Records: From Furniture to Foundational Music (1917-1935) Paramount Records, operating from 1917 to 1935, stands as a significant entity in the landscape of early 20th-century American music. Based in Port Washington, Wisconsin, this label played a crucial role in documenting and disseminating the sounds of its era, particularly through…
Tag: 78rpm

The Great White Way Orchestra
The Great White Way Orchestra Introduction Named after the famous nickname for New York City’s theater district, Broadway, The Great White Way orchestra embodied the vibrant spirit of the era’s entertainment scene. While they may not be as widely remembered as some of their contemporaries, they played a crucial role…

Lyric Records
A Brief But Brilliant Chapter in Recording History Introduction In the colorful tapestry of early 20th-century recorded music, some threads shine brightly despite their brevity. Lyric Records, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on the landscape of American music during the roaring twenties. This often-overlooked label played a significant role…

Black Swan Records
Record Label of the Week: Black Swan Records In the early 1920s, the American music industry was dominated by a handful of large companies that primarily featured white artists, leaving African American musicians with limited opportunities. It was within this context that Black Swan Records emerged, distinguishing itself as the…

Cesare Sodero
Cesare Sodero and Sodero’s Band Cesare Sodero, a name that resonates with the golden age of early 20th-century music, was a remarkable conductor and composer who left an indelible mark on the musical world. Leading Sodero’s Band, he became a prominent figure on the Edison label, a powerhouse in the…