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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 101-123 of 123 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 101-123 of 123 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Oakland, Will," accessed April 15, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

Oakland, Will. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

"Oakland, Will." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 15 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

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