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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 (Results 51-75 of 123 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 51-75 of 123 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Oakland, Will," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

Oakland, Will. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

"Oakland, Will." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 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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