Paul Specht

Paul Specht (March 24, 1895, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania - April 11, 1954, New York City) was an American dance bandleader popular in the 1920s.

Specht was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right. [http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht.htm Paul Specht] , mgthomas.co.uk. Accessed May 29, 2008.] He attended Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia, and led his first band in 1916,Scott Yanow, [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wvfexqlaldje Paul Specht (1925-1931) Review] , Allmusic] which toured the Western United States during World War I. He signed with Columbia Records in 1922, playing both with a larger dance ensemble and with a smaller, more jazz-oriented unit called The Georgians.

He toured England several times, beginning in 1922, and set up a "School for Jazz Musicians" there in 1924. [http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%202.htm Paul Specht 2] , mgthomas.co.uk.] Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and union woes, which were documented regularly in the popular music press of the day. He did not return to England after 1926, having become thoroughtly dissatisfied with the treatment he received. [http://mgthomas.co.uk/Dancebands/American%20Visitors/Pages/Paul%20Specht%205.htm Paul Specht 5] , mgthomas.co.uk]

Specht's ensemble was the first orchestra to broadcast for the RCA company, and was the first ensemble to film after the end of the silent era. [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7289189 Paul Specht] at Find-A-Grave] In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of Herbert Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman. He continued to be popular into the 1930s, and led bands into the 1940s, during which time he developed arthritis which hampered his musical abilities. He lived in Greenwich Village late in his life and did arranging work for radio and television. He died in 1954 at the age of 59.

A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, and Chauncey Morehouse.

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