Ben Selvin & His Orchestra

about

Ben Selvin (Benjamin B. Selvin, March 5, 1898 – July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, was a musician, bandleader, record producer and innovator in recorded music. He was known as The Dean of Recorded Music. Selvin started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A "husky" lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments. A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, the "Novelty Orchestra," Selvin released the biggest-selling popular song in the first quarter-century of recorded music. That single, "Dardanella", eventually went on to sell more than 5 million copies and an additional 2 million pieces of sheet music. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Selvin recorded more musical sides (on 78-rpm discs) than any other person. One reason for this prolific output is that he recorded for dozens of different labels during this high-growth time in the industry, using a different name (or slightly different name) for each label. Selvin's output has been estimated at 13,000 to 20,000 song titles. From 1927 to 1934 he was A&R Director for Columbia Records, where his many productions included scores of exceptionally well performed pop songs of the day with hot jazz solos by musicians like Manny Klein, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, and Bunny Berigan, among others. Many of these specific recordings made during this period continue to

top songs

albums

Happy Days Are Here Again (Authentic Recordings 1930)

Presenting Ben Selvin & His Orchestra

The Very Best Of

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The Great Gatsby

Am I Blue? (Authentic Recordings 1928 -1929)

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100 Roaring Classics Of The 1920s

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Am I Blue?

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Authentic Recordings 1931 - 1932)

Ben Selvin & His Orchestra

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Speakeasy Music of the 1920's

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Roaring '20s Jazz

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Fallout: New Vegas - The Very Unofficial Soundtrack Volume 2

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