Baltzell

John Baltzell ( born September 23, 1860, Knox County, Ohio, † 1940) was an American Old-time musicians. Baltzell was one of the first rural musicians, the recordings made ​​.

Life

Childhood and youth

Baltzell was born in rural Ohio in a small wooden hut in which he grew up. His first fiddle he built for himself and his friends himself, since he had no money to buy a real instrument. From a farmer, he later received a defective fiddle, which he repaired. One of his biggest musical influences was Daniel Emmett, composer of the song Dixie, who also lived in Knox County. From him Baltzell learned to play by ear and compose because he could not read music.

Career

Baltzells repertoire was soon out of his own pieces, and rather less from traditional songs. He was invited in 1923, just months after Fiddlin ' John Carson's recordings, from Edison Records to New York City to pick up plates in their studio. At this time was already Baltzell 63 years old. His first sessions, in which six songs have been recorded, took place from 7 to 10 September. Among the pieces recorded were located and traditional tunes such as Durang Hornpipe Medley or Money Musk Medley, accompanied by pianist John F. Burckhardt. In the aftermath of the shooting Baltzell received numerous engagements on the radio; He joined, among others, in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. He also won a fiddle contest, in which the radio listeners were able to vote via telephone.

Despite his success in the music business Baltzell was a professional musician. He lived in Mount Vernon and worked as a boiler maker. His musical activities were limited as to the time. After recordings for Victor Records, and OKeh Records in the summer of 1924 Baltzell only returned in March 1927 back into a recording studio. This month, he took on more boards for Edison and the Plaza Music Company, whose recordings appeared on a variety of labels. His Plaza recordings were the best-selling plates of a Old-time musician in 1927. Until 1928, played Baltzell, solo or accompanied by a pianist or another Fiddler, numerous pieces for Edison Records a. Among the images you will find original compositions, but also versions of traditional pieces such as Arkansas Traveler or Soldier 's Joy Hornpipe. Also worth mentioning is the song Emmett quadrille, which was dedicated to his mentor Dan Emmett. Baltzell held its last session for Edison on April 11, 1928.

About Baltzells life from 1928 is not much known. He died in 1940 at the age of 80 years.

Discography

Some Edison recordings were released on 78rpm plates and wax cylinder. All Plaza recordings were released on Banner Records and Domino Records, Homestead Records, Oriole Records, Regal Records, Paramount Records and Broadway Records.

• Sand Reel Class
• Pearl Quadrille
• Ada's Quadrille
• Levison Reel

• Sand Reel
• New Century Hornpipe

• Ginger Ridge Quadrille (alt. version )
• Soldier 's Joy Hornpipe (alt. version )
• S. J. Rafferty Reel (alt. version )
• Hills Quadrille (alt. version )
• Wooten Quadrille (alt. version )
• Emmett Quadrille (alt. version )
• Arkansas Traveler ( alt. version )
• Scotch Reel (alt. version )
• Paddy Ryan 's Favorite Irish Jig (alt. version )
• Kenion Clog (alt. version )
• Highland Fling (alt. version )
• Starlight Waltz ( alt. version )
• Pandora Waltz ( alt. version )