Little information is currently available about the personnel who played on the early recordings of Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra. As the Orchestra and it’s members became more widely known and their activities were of more interest to the general public, the personnel lists become more detailed and accurate. Below, lists from various sources are intermingled with discographical information and comments. Inferences can be made from this information as to just who might be playing on the recordings. We have found no personnel data directly attributable to Brunswick except for the listings of the piano duets and trios (Gene Rodemich, Allister Wylie and David H. Silverman) on the records, and identification of some vocalists (Al Jolson, Frank Sylvano). The snapshot of the Orchestra members taken on top of the Brunswick Building in New York at the time of the 11/24/24 recording session has everyone in the photo identified. This is probably the best documented of all of the Rodemich sessions. A good ear for style and tone may aid in identifying players who appear on multiple recordings. Any additional information on personnel would be appreciated.

The recordings are listed chronologically in the lists and appear that way on the CD’s also. A few alternate takes that were available were included. Many other alternate takes are also known to exist. Not included in the listings are rejected recordings. Some of these are also known to exist but none were available to us.

Rust lists only Rodemich himself and the instruments that can be heard on the 1919 and early 1921 records. Dan Stevens, the grandson of songwriter and banjoist Porter Brown, who played with Rodemich’s Orchestra, has told us that violinist Fred Wilde appears in a 1918 photo of the Orchestra. He may have played on the 1919 sessions.

PERSONNEL ACCORDING TO RUST:

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

OCTOBER, 1919

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

? Trumpet

? Trombone

? Alto Sax

? Cm or Tenor Sax

? Violin

? ?Second Violin

? Banjo

? Brass Bass

? Drums

When Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra began playing at The New Grand Central Theatre in St. Louis the names of the Orchestra members were included in the printed programs. Recently some of these programs have surfaced giving more knowledge as to the musicians who played with Rodemich at the time. Some of the names which appear in the 1921 programs are of people who are known to have played on the later recordings. One would think that there is a good chance they appear on at least the later 1921 records also.

Phil Evans, in preparing his book on Frank Trumbauer, researched Rodemich’s Orchestra for the time that Trumbauer played with them. Although the sources of his information are not known to us the personnel lists agree in most part with others. He does list Hammond (Bill) Bailey as playing banjo for the early October 1921 recording sessions, a listing we have not seen anywhere else.

PERSONNEL ACCORDING TO THE PROGRAM FOR THE NEW GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE (ST. LOUIS):

NEW GRAND CENTRAL CONCERT ORCHESTRA

THE NEW GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE, ST. LOUIS

SEPTEMBER 10, 1921

Gene Rodemich Conductor

Jules Silberberg Assistant Conductor

Otto Reinert Violin

Jules Silberberg Violin

Andrew Gill Violin

Charles Kaub Second Violin

Aug. Stocker Viola

Henry Ruppert ‘Cello

C. Banks ‘Cello

Louis Albers Bass

Gene LePique Piano

Hammond (Bill) Baily Xylophones

Paul Sporleeder Drums

Oscar H. Jost Organist

Stanley Wallace Organist

G. Younkman Flute

A. Bafuno Clarinet

Elder Kellersberger Oboe

Wm. Cibulka Bassoon

Jules Blattener Trumpet

1. Bates Trumpet

Sid Hartman Trombone

FEATURE ORCHESTRA DURING COMEDIES

THE NEW GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE, ST. LOUIS

SEPTEMBER 10, 1921

Gene Rodemich Piano

Otto Reinert Violin

1. Bates Cornet

Sid Hartman Trombone

Jules Silberberg Saxophone

Bill Baily Xylophone

Paul Sporleeder Drums

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

BRUNSWICK RECORD COMPANY, NEW YORK, NY

EARLY OCTOBER, 1921

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Clarence Foster Trumpet

Paul Vegna Trombone

Frank Trumbauer C-Melody/Alto Sax

Benny Krueger Alto Sax

Jules Silberberg Violin/Sax

Otto Reinert Violin

Hammond Bailey Banjo/Xylophone

Paul Spoerloder Drums

Matrix/Record Numbers: 6461/Br 2152, 6462/?, 6474/?, 6475/Br 2152, 6479/

Br 2159 coupled with Matrix 6503, 6480/Br 2159 coupled with Matrix 6504, 6495/Br 2183, 6498/Br 2183, 6503/Br 2159 coupled with Matrix 6479, 6504/

Br 2159 coupled with Matrix 6480, 6507/Br 2169, 6516/Br 2169

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

OCTOBER, 1921

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Frankie Trumbauer Sax

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

NOVEMBER?, 1921

Porter Brown Banjo

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE, ST. LOUIS

OCTOBER, 1920---NOVEMBER, 1921; JANUARY, 1922---MAY, 1922

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Jules Blattner Trumpet

Allister Wylie Sax

Julius Robb Sax

Frank Trumbauer Sax

Otto Reinert Violin

Gus Schmitt Violin

Bill Bailey Xylophone

Paul Spor Drums

(born: Spoerloder)

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

THE NEW GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE, ST. LOUIS

MAY 6, 1922

Gene Rodemich Piano

Otto Reinert Violin

C. Forster Cornet

P. Vegna Trombone

Jules Silberberg Saxophone

Bill Bailey Xylophones

Paul Sporleeder Drums

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSIONS

1922

Gene Rodemich Piano, Director

Charles Werner Cornet

Clarence Foster Cornet

Unknown Trombone

Bill Bailey (?) Sax

Frank Trumbauer (?) Sax

Fred Wilde Violin

Joe Winter Violin

Porter Brown Banjo

Unknown Brass Bass

Paul Spohrleder Drums

Allister Wylie 2^nd Piano

David H. Silverman 3^rd Piano

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

JUNE 1922

(NAMES CORRECTED)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Frankie Trumbauer Sax

Allister Wylie Piano

David H. Silverman Piano

The recordings of "Broken-Hearted Blues", "Nobody Loves Me Now", "It’s Up To You", "Whenever You’re Lonesome" and "Neath The South Sea Moon" all include piano trios by Gene Rodemich, David H. Silverman and Allister Wylie.

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

DECEMBER 1922

(NAMES CORRECTED)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Allister Wylie Piano

David H. Silverman Piano

The recordings of "Teddy Bear Blues", "Fate", "Three Little Words", "Railroad Man", "Falling" and "Down In Maryland" all include piano duos by Gene Rodemich and Allister Wylie.

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

JUNE 19, 1923

(NAMES CORRECTED)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Allister Wylie Piano

Larry Conley Trombone

Charles Werner Trumpet

? Trumpet

? Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax

? Clarinet, Alto Sax

? Clarinet, Tenor Sax

? Banjo

? Brass Bass

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

AT HOTEL STATLER, ST. LOUIS

SUMMER 1923 (DESCRIBED AS A YEAR OR SO BEFORE WASHINGTON WON THE PENNANT)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Larry Conley Trombone

Allister Wylie Piano

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

Ed Storman Banjo

Bill Bailey Clarinet, Alto Sax and Xylophone

Otto Reinert Violin

Jules Silberburg Sax and Violin

Joe Zotterilla Tuba

George Lottman Managed Rodemich Publishing New York Office

The recordings of "Who Will It Be" and "Mobile Blues" include piano duos by Gene Rodemich and Allister Wylie. "Tenth Interval Rag" features a piano solo by Gene Rodemich. "Hot Roasted Peanuts" includes an unknown vocal duet. "She Wouldn’t Do (What I Asked Her To)" has a vocal chorus that is not attributed and ends with a shout by the entire Orchestra.

Larry Conley describes his trombone solos on a number of these Rodemich records in a testimonial advertisement for the new Martin "Dansant" trombone. Of "Wolverine Blues" and "My Sweetheart" he says:

"On ‘Wolverine Blues’ I did a chorus that is composed mostly of fast lip runs. The perfect action and tuning of the

Martin horn made this very easy for me, while on ‘My Sweetheart’ I played a melody chorus with a freak vibrato tone

of my own origination."

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE, ST. LOUIS

MARCH 1924

(PERSONNEL IDENTIFIED AT A LATER UNSPECIFIED DATE BY JULES BLATTNER & CHARLES McHENRY

FROM A PHOTOGRAPH ON THE WALL OF MUSICIAN’S ASSOCIATION LOCAL #2, ST. LOUIS. THIS PHOTO WAS PROBABLY TAKEN IN 1922 NOT 1924 AS INDICATED.)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Jules Blattner Trumpet

Allister Wylie Sax

Julius Robb Sax

Frank Trumbauer Sax

Otto Reinert Violin

Gus Schmitt Violin

Bill Bailey Xylophone

Paul Spor Drums

The recordings of "Lazy" and "My Papa Doesn’t Two-Time No Time", which feature vocals by Al Jolson, were made in St. Louis while Jolson was there performing in the show "Bombo". Larry Conley’s trombone can be heard for an entire chorus behind Jolson on "Lazy".

PERSONNEL ACCORDING TO JACOBS’ ORCHESTRA MONTHLY, JUNE-JULY, 1924:

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

PERSONNEL AT OPENING OF BRUNSWICK RECORD DEPARTMENT

LYON & HEALY STORE, CHICAGO

EARLY MAY 1924

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Larry Conley Trombone

Charles Werner Cornet

Allister Wylie Sax, Piano

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

Ed Storman Banjo, 'Cello, Guitar

Bill Bailey Sax, Clarinet, Xylophone

Jess Walton Cornet

Otto Reinert Violin

Jules Silberburg Sax and Violin

Joe Zotterella, Bass

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

JUNE 10, 1924

(NAMES CORRECTED)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Allister Wylie Piano

Larry Conley Trombone

Charles Werner Trumpet

? Trumpet

? Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax

? Clarinet, Alto Sax

? Clarinet, Tenor Sax

Ed Storman Banjo

? Brass Bass

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

"Dreary Weather", "Honolou" and "Dear One" feature vocal choruses by Frank Sylvano.

Larry Conley continues his description of the trombone solos on these recordings:

"This type of melody" (referring to the freak vibrato tone described earlier) "I also used on ‘Honolou’, my latest

composition. On ‘Shanghai Shuffle’, another one of my own compositions, you will notice a novelty chorus on

which I end the strain with a high C fast wow-wow. This one thing in itself is a great boost for the Martin Trombone."

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

BRUNSWICK BUILDING, NEW YORK NY

DURING BREAK AT RECORDING SESSION (11/24/24)

PERSONNEL IDENIFIED ON PHOTO

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Larry Conley Trombone

Charles Werner Trumpet

Allister Wylie Piano

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

Ed Storman Banjo

Bill Bailey Clarinet, Alto Sax and Xylophone

Clarence Forster Trumpet

Otto Reinert Violin

Jules Silberburg Sax and Violin

Another player at the session is not in the photo (possibly took the snapshot)--

John Bambridge? Tuba

Jess Walton? Trumpet

One final note from Larry Conley on his trombone solos:

"There is a different type of trombone playing in each of these records and I made each of them with a Martin

Trombone. I have just completed a new record, a composition of my own entitled ‘One Stolen Kiss’ in which

I used your new Martin ‘Dansant’ Trombone, and after hearing the test record, I am convinced that it is even

better suited for recording purposes than your previous models."

PERSONNEL ACCORDING TO JACOBS’ ORCHESTRA MONTHLY, JANUARY, 1926:

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

PERSONNEL PLAYING ON THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED KMOX, ST. LOUIS

DECEMBER 1925-JANUARY 1926

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Fred Wild Violin

Al Eldridge Piano

Ted Hunt Sax, Other Reeds

Alex Halbran Sax, Other Reeds

Claud Conrad First Trumpet

Nick Belcastro Second Cornet

Robert Smith Trombone

Duke Selders Trombone

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

Porter Brown Banjo

Bill Bailey Xylophone, Other Reeds

GENE RODEMICH’S ORCHESTRA

RECORDING SESSION

FEBRUARY 2, 1926

(NAMES CORRECTED)

Gene Rodemich Piano, Leader

Tom Satterfield Piano, Arranger

Fred Wilde Violin

Ted Hunt Clarinet, Alto Sax

Bill Bailey Clarinet, Alto Sax

Alex Holman Tenor Sax

Claude Conrad Trumpet

Nick Belcastro Trumpet

Robert Smith Trombone

Paul Spohrlieder Drums

Porter Brown Banjo

A. Spillier Brass Bass

"The recordings of "Hot Notes" and "I’m Lonely Without You" were the only electrical recordings made by Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra.

These volumes include at least one take of every song recorded by Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra and released on Brunswick Records. Gene Rodemich later recorded radio broadcast transcriptions, although we haven’t been able to locate any to date. He also supplied the music for films released by Van Beuren Studios in New York. These included many of the popular Van Beuren cartoons and the .Mutual films of Charley Chaplin, which were re-released by Van Beuren with an added soundtrack.

A 2.3 mil truncated elliptical stylus was used. No noise reduction of any kind was used. Some clicks and pops on records in very bad condition were removed manually using a computer. Since many of these Brunswick acoustic recordings varied in pitch throughout the record no effort was made to alter speed, and a non-adjustable 78 rpm turntable was used. Anyone with enough time and a computer can try to adjust the pitch accurately if desired. Unfortunately the pre-amp used provided only RIAA equalization and all transfers contain this equalization. Again, since the dynamic range and frequency response of these recordings is limited, this equalization can be removed with little trouble if desired.