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Will Oakland

Will Oakland (January 15, 1880–May 15, 1956) was an American countertenor famed for his exceptionally high vocal range. He was born Herman Hinrichs in Jersey City, New Jersey, to German-American immigrant parents.

Oakland began his musical career after leaving the United States Army in 1905, joining Lew Dockstader's minstrels in Rochester, New York. He began recording for Edison Records in 1908, soon after Richard Jose's retirement. In addition to appearing as a solo performer, Oakland recorded duets with Billy Murray, sometimes singing the female part in love songs. He often sang woeful, sentimental songs that contrasted with Murray's usually upbeat repertoire.

From 1912 to 1914 Oakland recorded in the Heidelberg Quintet, joining the members of the American Quartet.

He recorded the song "As I sat upon my dear old mother's knee" by Joseph P. Skelly.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 15, 1880, Died May 15, 1956

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: countertenor vocal, lyricist, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-6822 10-in. 2/19/1909 When you and I were young, Maggie Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6823 10-in. 2/19/1909 Silver threads among the gold Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6870 10-in. 3/10/1909 When the autumn moon is creeping thro' the woodlands Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6871 10-in. 3/10/1909 When the winter days are over Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6872 10-in. 3/10/1909 The longest way round is the shortest way home Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8146 10-in. 8/13/1909 I'm tired of living without you Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8147 10-in. 8/13/1909 White wings Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8919 10-in. 5/6/1910 My beautiful Irish maid Haydn Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal quartet and male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8920 10-in. 5/6/1910 Only a pansy blossom Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8921 10-in. 5/6/1910 My wild Irish rose Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8922 10-in. 5/6/1910 The story of the rose Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9161 10-in. 7/12/1910 In the gloaming American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9162 10-in. 7/12/1910 Who will care for Mother now? American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9163 10-in. 7/12/1910 Wait till the clouds roll by Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9164 10-in. 7/12/1910 Mack's lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor C-9165 12-in. 7/12/1910 When the robins nest again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9650 10-in. 11/15/1910 Mother Machree Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9651 10-in. 11/15/1910 Eileen Allanna Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9652 10-in. 11/15/1910 The star, the rose and the dream Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-11875 10-in. 4/15/1912 Under the love tree Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and chorus, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-11876 10-in. 4/15/1912 I want to love you while the music's playing Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12050 10-in. 5/28/1912 At the club American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal quartet and soloist, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12085 10-in. 6/7/1912 Way down south Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12086 10-in. 6/7/1912 Emmet's lullaby Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, unaccompanied vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12180 10-in. 7/11/1912 On a beautiful night with a beautiful girl Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, unaccompanied vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12181 10-in. 7/11/1912 Waiting for the Robert E. Lee Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12241 10-in. 7/26/1912 My little lovin' sugar babe Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13110 10-in. 4/11/1913 And the green grass grew all around American Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13189 10-in. 4/24/1913 Teasing moon Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with vocal solo and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13190 10-in. 4/24/1913 Ragtime regiment band Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with vocal solo and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13191 10-in. 4/24/1913 You're a great big blue-eyed baby Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13192 10-in. 4/24/1913 Give me your hand Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13242 10-in. 5/6/1913 In apple blossom time (Down on the farm) Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13243 10-in. 5/6/1913 You can't stop me from loving you American Quartet Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13244 10-in. 5/6/1913 Floating down the river on the Alabam' Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13369 10-in. 5/29/1913 That tinkling tango tune American Quartet Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13370 10-in. 5/29/1913 The soul of the raging sea American Quartet Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13371 10-in. 5/29/1913 Boom, tum, ta-ra-zing boom! American Quartet Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13424 10-in. 6/13/1913 The curse of an aching heart Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-13426 10-in. 6/13/1913 In the heart of the Kentucky hills Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with soloist and orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14064 10-in. 11/13/1913 Dream days Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14065 10-in. 11/13/1913 Sing rock-a-bye baby to me Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14091 10-in. 11/18/1913 I'm on my way to Mandalay Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell ; Will Oakland Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14095 10-in. 11/19/1913 You tell me your dream, I'll tell you mine Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14096 10-in. 11/19/1913 Evalyne Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14838 10-in. 5/18/1914 They're on their way to Mexico Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14908 10-in. 5/28/1914 Harmony Bay Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14910 10-in. 5/28/1914 Across the Rio Grande Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14911 10-in. 5/28/1914 By the beautiful sea Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14996 10-in. 6/24/1914 Meet me in blossom time Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell ; Will Oakland Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14997 10-in. 6/24/1914 Dear love days Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell ; Will Oakland Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-14998 10-in. 6/24/1914 Everything reminds me of that old sweetheart of mine Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell ; Will Oakland Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15015 10-in. 6/26/1914 Don't go away Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15017 10-in. 6/26/1914 Roll them cotton bales Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15042 10-in. 7/6/1914 In the town where I was born Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15043 10-in. 7/6/1914 Ma pickaninny babe Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15044 10-in. 7/6/1914 Just for to-night Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15046 10-in. 7/7/1914 Belle Brandon Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-15047 10-in. 7/7/1914 When you're a long, long way from home Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-16071 10-in. 6/4/1915 Old time song medley Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-16075 10-in. 6/4/1915 When it's moonlight in Mayo Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-17144 10-in. 2/11/1916 Mother's old sweet lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-17145 10-in. 2/11/1916 Norah Acushla Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-17239 10-in. 3/1/1916 Oh promise me (That you'll come back to Alabam') Billy Murray ; Will Oakland Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-18779 10-in. 12/8/1916 Ireland, my Ireland Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal, lyricist  
Victor [Trial 1922-08-07-01] Not documented 8/7/1922 Silhouette Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19133 10-in. 11/29/1910 I love the name of Mary Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19134 10-in. 11/29/1910 The longest way round is the sweetest way home Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19178 10-in. 12/30/1910 Good night, beloved, good night Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19179 10-in. 12/30/1910 I'll change the thorns to roses Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19234 10-in. 2/10/1911 When the swallows homeward fly Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19235 10-in. 2/10/1911 Poverty's tears ebb and flow Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19255 10-in. 3/9/1911 The lass from the county Mayo Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19256 10-in. 3/9/1911 You can't make me stop loving you Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19269 10-in. 4/7/1911 Only a pansy blossom Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19270 10-in. 4/7/1911 It's a long way back to dear old Mother's knee Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19308 10-in. 4/25/1911 I’ll await my love Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19309 10-in. 4/25/1911 We're growing old together Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19408 10-in. 6/15/1911 White wings Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19409 10-in. 6/15/1911 Just one word of consolation Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19456 10-in. 7/12/1911 Peek-a-boo Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19457 10-in. 7/12/1911 Baby mine Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19459 10-in. 7/12/1911 Take this letter to my mother Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19460 10-in. 7/17/1911 Only to see her face again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19817 10-in. 3/16/1912 When the robins nest again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19818 10-in. 3/16/1912 Mother Machree Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19819 10-in. 3/16/1912 Wait till the clouds roll by Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19820 10-in. 3/16/1912 We've been chums for fifty years Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38172 10-in. 8/2/1912 With all her faults I love her still Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38173 10-in. 8/2/1912 As I sat upon my dear old mother's knee Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38800 10-in. 4/21/1913 Emmet's lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38801 10-in. 4/21/1913 Garland of old fashioned roses Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38802 10-in. 4/22/1913 You're just as sweet at sixty as you were at sweet sixteen Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38803 10-in. 4/22/1913 Pretty pond lilies Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 39467 10-in. 6/29/1914 Dear love days Lyric Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 39468 10-in. 6/29/1914 Everything reminds me of that old sweetheart of mine Lyric Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 141881 10-in. 3/29/1926 Let's grow old together Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal, songwriter  
Columbia 141882 10-in. 3/29/1926 Gone Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 142194 10-in. 5/12/1926 Wait till my ship comes in Irving Kaufman Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh 622 10-in. ca. Mar. 1919 When Ireland comes into her own Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
OKeh 623 10-in. ca. Mar. 1919 Peg Aroon Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
OKeh S-7403 10-in. Apr. 1920 Norah Acushlah! Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
OKeh S-7404 Not documented Apr. 1920 [Unknown title(s)] Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 100 10-in. 7/15/1910 Just before the battle, Mother Will Oakland Countertenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 145 12-in. 7/22/1910 Silver threads among the gold Will Oakland Countertenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 697 Not documented 7/5/1911 When you and I were young, Maggie Will Oakland Countertenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 740 Not documented 7/13/1911 Only to see her face again Will Oakland Countertenor vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 4469 10-in. 2/4/1916 Only a pansy blossom Will Oakland Male vocal solo and male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 5051 10-in. 10/6/1916 Take this letter to my mother Will Oakland Male vocal solo and mixed vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 5070 10-in. 10/12/1916 Who will care for Mother now? Will Oakland Male vocal solo and mixed vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 5293 10-in. 1/16/1917 The vacant chair Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 5952 10-in. between 1/1/1918 and 1/7/1918 Mother's old sweet lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 5954 10-in. between 1/1/1918 and 1/7/1918 My Irish song of songs Will Oakland Male vocal solo and vocal chorus, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 6409 10-in. 10/23/1918 Bring back the rose Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 6583 10-in. 1/23/1919 Dear little boy of mine Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 6632 10-in. 2/20/1919 That wonderful mother of mine Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 6667 10-in. 3/13/1919 That tumble-down shack in Athlone Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 7046 10-in. 12/4/1919 That old fashioned sweetheart of mine Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist, vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Edison 11407 10-in. 12/30/1926 Oh! What I'd give to bring you back Walter Scanlan Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 19293 10-in. 7/15/1929 Just beyond the blue Jack Stillman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Edison N-969 10-in. 6/19/1929 Just beyond the blue Jack Stillman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Zonophone [Zo cat 5746-A] 10-in. Before June 1911 Emmett's lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Zonophone [Zo cat 5746-B] 10-in. Before June 1911 Norah acushla Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Oakland, Will," accessed May 2, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

Oakland, Will. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

"Oakland, Will." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630

External Sources

Wikipedia: Will Oakland

IMDb: Will Oakland

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Oakland, Will, 1883-1956 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no97077352

Wikidata: Will Oakland - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q8002992

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/36528166

ISNI: 0000 0000 4087 9436 - http://www.isni.org/isni/0000000040879436

FAST: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/409850

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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