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Ben Selvin

Benjamin Bernard Selvin (March 5, 1898 – July 15, 1980) was an American musician, bandleader, and record producer. He was known as the Dean of Recorded Music.

Selvin was born in New York City, United States, the son of Jewish Russian immigrants. He started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. Six years later, as leader of his own dance band, the Novelty Orchestra, he released what was later alleged to be the biggest-selling popular song in the first quarter-century of recorded music. "Dardanella" allegedly sold more than six million copies and an additional million pieces of sheet music—although in a joint interview with Gustave Haenschen, founding director of popular-music releases at Brunswick Records, Selvin described the alleged record-sales total as “nonsensical” and said the actual sales of “Dardanella” and other purported “million-sellers” in the 1920s was 150,000 discs. He was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) that was presented to Selvin on his retirement on March 14, 1963.

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 record labels during this productive time in the industry, using a different name for each label. His output has been estimated at 13,000 to 20,000 song titles.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 5, 1898 (New York City), Died July 15, 1980 (Manhasset)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1919 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, violin, vocalist, songwriter, composer, lyricist, arranger

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

Recordings (Results 851-875 of 1016 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W351134 10-in. 11/16/1931 Now's the time to fall in love Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351135 10-in. 11/17/1931 I promise you Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351136 10-in. 11/23/1931 Hiding in the shadows of the moon Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351137 10-in. 11/23/1931 I wonder who's under the moon with you tonight? Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351138 10-in. 11/27/1931 Bend down, sister Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351139 10-in. 1/12/1932 One little quarrel Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351140 10-in. 12/7/1931 By the sycamore tree Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351141 10-in. 12/7/1931 I wouldn't change you for the world Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351142 10-in. 12/7/1931 Save the last dance for me Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351143 10-in. 12/18/1931 All of me Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351144 10-in. 12/18/1931 I found you Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351145 10-in. 12/18/1931 You're my everything Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351146 10-in. 12/31/1931 One more kiss then goodnight Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351147 10-in. 12/31/1931 Too late Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351149 10-in. 1/12/1932 Auf wiedersehen, my dear Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351150 10-in. 1/12/1932 Goodnight moon Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351151 10-in. 1/12/1932 How long will it last? Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351152 10-in. 1/12/1932 Kiss by kiss (I'm falling in love with you) Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351153 10-in. 1/12/1932 When we're alone Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351154 10-in. 1/12/1932 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351155 10-in. 2/4/1932 Carolina's calling me Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351156 10-in. 2/11/1932 Kiss me goodnight Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351157 10-in. 2/18/1932 Can't we talk it over? Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351158 10-in. 2/18/1932 Dancing on the ceiling Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W351159 10-in. 2/29/1932 Soft lights and sweet music Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
(Results 851-875 of 1016 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Selvin, Ben," accessed May 2, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111064.

Selvin, Ben. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111064.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111064

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