James Brockman

James Brockman (December 8, 1886 – May 22, 1967) was an American songwriter. Born in Russia, he emigrated to New York by himself at the age of 9 or 10. His given name was Jacob Brachman but he changed the spelling of the last name because it was mis-pronounced and the rest of the family followed with the change.

Brockman began his career as a comedian in vaudeville and musicals in the early 1900s. He was a partner, along with James Kendis, of the Kendis-Brockman Music Company.

He wrote the lyrics to Down among the Sheltering Palms with music by composer and Chicago music publisher Abe Olman. Oldman's marketing of the song led to Leo Feist acquiring it and encouraging Al Jolson to perform on stage.

In 1919, he was a co-writer of the song "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", which years later would become the anthem of the English football club West Ham United. Also in 1919, he co-wrote "I'm Like a Ship Without a Sail". He also co-wrote, with Abe Olman, the song "Down Among The Sheltering Palms", published in 1914 and popularized by the Boswell Sisters in the early 1930s.

He went on to work in Hollywood as a songwriter for films, and wrote the score for Happy Days. He died in Santa Monica, California in May 1967, aged 80, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 8, 1886 (Russian Empire), Died May 22, 1967 (Santa Monica)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1907 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter, composer, lyricist, tenor vocal

= 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-6264 10-in. 6/11/1908 My fluff-a de-ruff Ed Morton Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-7091 10-in. 5/18/1909 You can look and you can listen, but M-U-M is the word Ada Jones Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-8179 10-in. 8/26/1909 If I could gain the world by wishing, I would only wish for you Albert Campbell ; Haydn Quartet Male vocal quartet and soloist, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-9820 10-in. 1/17/1911 That's Yiddisha love Monroe Silver Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-9821 10-in. 1/17/1911 Abie, take an example from your fader Monroe Silver Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-11716 10-in. 3/13/1912 As long as the shamrock grows green Walter Van Brunt Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-15924 10-in. 4/21/1915 Down among the sheltering palms Lyric Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-16974 12-in. 1/7/1916 Underneath the stars Victor Dance Orchestra Orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-17133 10-in. 2/9/1916 Some beautiful morning (You'll find me gone) Gladys Wilbur Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-17331 10-in. 3/17/1916 The kid is clever Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-17451 10-in. 4/5/1916 When Isadore sang Il trovatore Rhoda Bernard Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-18944 10-in. 12/28/1916 In the days of Old Black Joe Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-19142 10-in. 1/30/1917 The ghost of the ukulele Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-19606 10-in. 4/18/1917 Underneath the China moon Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Victor B-22185 10-in. 7/30/1918 We're bound to win with boys like you Charles Hart ; Shannon Quartet Male vocal solo and vocal chorus songwriter  
Victor B-22218 10-in. 9/3/1918 Where it's peach jam makin' time Geoffrey O'Hara Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-22597 10-in. 2/25/1919 I know what it means to be lonesome Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with violin duet and orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-23123 10-in. 8/12/1919 Golden gate (Open for me) Charles Hart ; Elliott Shaw Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-23147 10-in. 9/10/1919 I am climbing mountains Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet, with violin duet and orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-23449 10-in. 10/31/1919 I'm like a ship without a sail Charles Hart ; Elliott Shaw Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-23701 10-in. 1/26/1920 Brazilian chimes Crescent Trio Male vocal trio with violin, celeste, and orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-24556 12-in. 10/28/1920 Grieving for you Ambassador Orchestra ; Paul Whiteman Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-24634 10-in. 10/19/1920 Feather your nest Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell ; Rudy Wiedoeft Male vocal duet, with saxophone and orchestra (takes 4-7); with cello and orchestra (takes 1-3) songwriter  
Victor C-25010 12-in. 3/17/1921 Moonbeams All Star Trio ; All Star Trio Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-25386 10-in. 7/7/1921 Sunnyside Sal Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-25469 10-in. 7/22/1921 Sunnyside Sal Shilking Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor B-25503 10-in. 8/8/1921 Once in a blue moon Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor B-29240 10-in. 1/2/1924 You darling you Pennsylvanians ; Fred Waring Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-29979 10-in. 5/9/1924 Nightingale Nelson Maples ; S.S. Leviathan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and bird imitations composer  
Victor B-30791 10-in. 9/9/1924 The sun's gonna shine again Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-31532 10-in. 12/19/1924 Get yourself a broom and sweep your troubles away Frank Crumit Male vocal solo, with ukulele piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-33571 10-in. 10/16/1925 Silver head Jack Shilkret Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-49022 10-in. 12/27/1928 I faw down an' go boom! George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus songwriter  
Victor BVE-49618 10-in. 1/4/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Victor BVE-49689 10-in. 1/28/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Eddie Cantor Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor BRC-53077 10-in. 5/1/1931 Faithfully yours Richard Barry ; Henry Busse Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor PBVE-54518 10-in. 11/22/1929 Doughboy's lullaby The Rounders Male vocal chorus, with piano songwriter  
Victor BVE-57201 10-in. 11/30/1929 Put a little salt on the bluebird's tail Ernie Birchill ; Wayne King Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo (takes 4-6) songwriter  
Victor BVE-59659 10-in. 3/31/1930 The snowball men The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano lyricist  
Victor PBVE-61074 10-in. 2/16/1931 Faded blue prints The Rounders Male vocal quartet, with piano songwriter  
Victor BVE-69350 10-in. 5/26/1931 Lonesome for you Carter Family Female-male vocal duet, with guitar lyricist  
Victor BS-102666 10-in. 6/17/1936 Feather your nest Harry Blair ; Washboard Wonders ; Kenneth Wolfe Male vocal duet, with washboard band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2560 10-in. 12/2/1947 Down among the sheltering palms Don Cornell ; Kaydets ; Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye Male vocal solo, with female vocal trio, vocal chorus and jazz/dance band lyricist  
Victor [Trial 1919-03-13-04] Not documented 3/13/1919 Forget-me-not James Brockman Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Columbia 3719 10-in. ca. Jan.-Oct. 1907 You've got to love me a lot Ada Jones ; Len Spencer Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 4225 10-in. approximately 1909 If I could gain the world by wishing Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 19872 10-in. 4/29/1912 As long as the shamrock grows green Walter Van Brunt Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 45555 10-in. 4/12/1915 Down among the sheltering palms Columbia Stellar Quartette Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 46161 10-in. 10/27/1915 Some beautiful morning (You'll find me gone) Marguerite Farrell Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 46642 10-in. 3/15/1916 The kid is clever Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Columbia 47495 10-in. 4/17/1917 The ghost of the ukulele Elizabeth Brice ; Charles King Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 77795 10-in. 4/29/1918 I miss my daddy's goodnight kiss Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78105 10-in. 10/9/1918 When it's peach-jam makin' time Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78570 10-in. 7/15/1919 I know what it means to be lonesome The Three Kaufields Male vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 78585 10-in. 7/21/1919 Golden gate Charles Harrison ; Lewis James Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78628 10-in. 9/9/1919 I am climbing mountains Charles Harrison ; Lewis James Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78732 10-in. 10/11/1919 I'm like a ship without a sail Charles Harrison ; Lewis James Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78759 10-in. 10/24/1919 I know what it means to be lonesome George Meader Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 78814 10-in. 11/18/1919 All I have are sunny weather friends Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 79081 10-in. 3/26/1920 Ages and ages George Meader Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 79167 10-in. 5/7/1920 Typhoon Harry Akst ; Frank E. Banta Piano duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 79492 10-in. 10/29/1920 Feather your nest Strickland's Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 79525 10-in. 11/18/1920 Feather your nest Happy Six Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 80025 10-in. 10/13/1921 Jabberwocky Happy Six Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 80121 10-in. 12/23/1921 You're out o' luck Al Herman Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 81270 10-in. 10/8/1923 You darling you California Ramblers Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 81825 10-in. 6/16/1924 Nightingale Columbia Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 49406 12-in. 12/31/1918 Down among the sheltering palms Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 49984 12-in. 9/15/1921 When the sun goes down blues Happy Six Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Columbia W140817 10-in. 8/6/1925 Silver head Charles Harrison Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 140854 10-in. 8/14/1925 Silver head Ernest Hare Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 141881 10-in. 3/29/1926 Let's grow old together Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia 142194 10-in. 5/12/1926 Wait till my ship comes in Irving Kaufman Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia W147747 10-in. 1/2/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Dorothea Ponce ; Ethel Ponce Female vocal duet, with piano and harmonium songwriter  
Columbia [W]147787 10-in. 1/17/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Dot Dare Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet songwriter  
Columbia 147918 10-in. 2/5/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Jim Andrews ; Jerome Conrad Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W147951 10-in. 2/11/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Charles Fulcher Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W149626 10-in. 12/28/1929 Doughboy's lullaby Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W151569 10-in. 5/26/1931 Faithfully yours Ruth Etting Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Columbia 87361 10-in. approximately May 1921 Nid d’amour Hector Pellerin Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia W351020 10-in. 5/19/1931 Faithfully yours Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W703147 10-in. February 1930 Arrullo militar Enrique Madriguera ; Notas Mágicas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W703192 10-in. April 1930 Si la vida te sonríe : Fox trot Enrique Madriguera ; Notas Mágicas ; Adolfo Utrera Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
OKeh 138 10-in. ca. May 1918 Three pickaninnies Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
OKeh 294 10-in. ca. Aug. 1918 We're bound to win with boys like you Franklyn Kent Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh 502 10-in. ca. Dec. 1918 Lonesome Lewis James Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh 613 10-in. ca. Feb. 1919 Forget-me-not Samuel Ash Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-7086 10-in. ca. Dec. 1919 I am climbing mountains Joseph A. Phillips ; Carroll Shannon Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-7109 10-in. ca. Dec. 1919 I am climbing mountains Conway's Band Band songwriter  
OKeh S-7120 10-in. approximately Dec. 1919 Sunny weather friends Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-7198 10-in. ca. Jan. 1920 For ev'ry door that closes Reed Miller Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-7227 10-in. Feb. 1920 Brazilian chimes Crescent Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
OKeh S-7347 10-in. Mar. 1920 Ages and ages Samuel Ash Male vocal solo songwriter  
OKeh S-7565 10-in. Sept. 1920 Feather your nest Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-7782 10-in. Feb. 1921 Jabberwocky Joseph Samuels Jazz Band Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-7864 10-in. Apr. 1921 Pining Perry's Syncopators Jazz/dance band songwriter  
OKeh S-70108 10-in. Aug. 1921 Sunny side Sal Damon's Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
OKeh S-70538 10-in. Mar. 1922 Babbling brook Virginia Burt ; Elliott Shaw Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh S-72118 10-in. 11/26/1923 You, darling, you Ace Brigode ; Ten Virginians Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-72565 10-in. 5/23/1924 Nightingale Sibyl Sanderson Fagan ; Hotel Sylvania Orchestra of Philadelphia ; Vincent Rizzo Jazz/dance band, with whistling obbligato composer  
OKeh 73554 10-in. 8/19/1925 Silver head Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra ; Vincent Lopez Jazz/dance band songwriter  
OKeh W401553 10-in. 1/24/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Fred Hall ; Sugar Babies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
OKeh W401629 10-in. 2/20/1929 I faw down an' go boom! Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
OKeh W403548 10-in. 12/23/1929 Put a little salt on the bluebird's tail (Before it flies away) Ed Kirkeby Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio songwriter  
OKeh W403599 10-in. 1/9/1930 Dough-boy's lullaby Irving Kaufman Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
OKeh W403774 10-in. 2/25/1930 We'll build a little world of our own Smith Ballew Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
OKeh W490020 10-in. 12/23/1929 Put a little salt on the bluebird's tail (Before it flies away) Ed Loyd and his Orchestra [Ed Kirkeby Orchestra] Jazz/dance band songwriter  
OKeh [OK cat 1058-b] 10-in. approximately 1918 Peach jam makin' time in Dixie Ada Jones ; George L. Thompson Female-male vocal duet songwriter  
OKeh [OK cat 1133-b] 10-in. approximately 1918 The older they get, the harder they fall Kaufman Brothers Male vocal duet songwriter  
OKeh [OK cat 1271-b] 10-in. approximately 1919 Golden Gate (Open for me) Henry Burr ; Albert Campbell Male vocal duet composer  
OKeh [Od cat 20070-b] 10-in. 1921 Apache love Joseph Samuels Jazz Band Jazz/dance band lyricist  
Brunswick [Br cat 5007-a] 10-in. approximately late 1916 Ephraim's Jazbo Band Arthur Collins Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Brunswick 5222 10-in. approximately Mar. 1921 Pining Mario Perry Accordion solo songwriter  
Brunswick 5434 10-in. approximately Apr. 1921 Jabberwocky Rudy Wiedoeft's Californians Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick 4651-4652 10-in. approximately Nov. 1920 Feather your nest Amphion Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra songwriter  
Brunswick 11925-11927 10-in. 11/20/1923 You darling you Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick 13608-13609 10-in. 7/24/1924 Nightingale Fredric Fradkin ; Margaret McKee Violin solo, with orchestra and bird imitations composer  
Brunswick E29038 10-in. 1/10/1929 I faw down an’ go boom! Dick Robertson Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Brunswick E29051 10-in. 1/11/1929 I faw down an’ go boom! Six Jumping Jacks ; Tom Stacks Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) songwriter  
Brunswick E32290 10-in. 3/4/1930 We’ll build a little world of our own Colonial Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E36757 10-in. 5/11/1931 Faithfully yours Tom Gerun Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick C2887 10-in. 1/29/1929 I faw down an’ go boom! Wolverines Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 3996 10-in. 7/21/1915 Down among the sheltering palms Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo and mixed vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 4116 10-in. 9/15/1915 Down among the sheltering palms Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo and male vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 4630 10-in. 4/4/1916 The kid is clever Byron G. Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Edison 6096 10-in. 3/31/1918 Three pickaninnies Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6932 10-in. 9/16/1919 I know what it means to be lonesome Margaret A. Freer Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 6942 10-in. 9/23/1919 Golden gate (Open for me) Louise Ferrell ; Lewis James Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Edison 7020 10-in. 11/13/1919 Sunny weather friends Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 7203 10-in. 3/9/1920 Brazilian chimes Crescent Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 7270 10-in. 4/6/1920 Ages and ages George Wilton Ballard Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 7537 10-in. 9/21/1920 Feather your nest Lenzberg's Riverside Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 7674 10-in. 12/10/1920 Good as gold Max Fells' Della Robbia Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 7777 10-in. 2/4/1921 The Arabian yogi man Max Fells' Della Robbia Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 7858 10-in. 3/22/1921 Jabberwocky Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 7976 10-in. 5/11/1921 Lettres d'amour Hector Pellerin Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 8041 10-in. 6/2/1921 Sunnyside Sal Vernon Dalhart ; Gladys Rice Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 9761 10-in. 10/2/1924 Temper'mental papa Kansas City Five ; Josephine Miles Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble songwriter  
Edison 9880 10-in. 11/15/1924 Nightingale Clover Garden Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 10511 10-in. 7/22/1925 Silver head Clover Gardens Orchestra ; Vernon Dalhart Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Edison 18864 10-in. 11/13/1928 You don't know how much you have to know Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 19038 10-in. 2/7/1929 I faw down an' go boom Gladys Rice Female vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 19074 10-in. 3/5/1929 I faw down an' go boom Assassinators ; Arthur Fields Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison N-559 10-in. 11/13/1929 You don't know how much you have to know Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison N-729 10-in. 2/7/1929 I faw down an' go boom Gladys Rice Female vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison N-765 10-in. 3/5/1929 I faw down an' go boom Assassinators ; Arthur Fields Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Brockman, James," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106540.

Brockman, James. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106540.

"Brockman, James." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106540

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