"A Year From Today"
Meyer Davis' Astor Hotel Orchestra
Meyer Davis, born in Ellicott City, Maryland, on January 10, 1893, became an important dance band contractor, providing music for East Coast society functions for over 30 years.
He started his first band while in high school after being rejected by the school orchestra.
He was a law student at George Washington University but earned money with his musical leadership. In 1914, when Meyer Davis studied law during the day, his band at night played at the New Willard Hotel.
He started a long recording career in early 1916. The oddly named Meyer Davis Kalaluhi Hawaiians recorded “On The Beach At Waikiki” for Victor 17066 on January 26, 1916. This was a case of Davis cashing in on a fad for Hawaiian music, with Davis himself having no Hawaiian connection.
The first record made by a Meyer Davis ensemble using the new electrical recording process was “Let It Rain, Let It Pour,” with Billy Murray singing. This was recorded on March 26, 1925.
His heyday of Meyer Davis ensembles in the recording studio was the late 1920s–that is, the name Meyer Davis was on many labels, but Meyer Davis was not necessarily in the studio. Joe Moss often led musicians branded as Meyer Davis men.
Meyer Davis managed Chevy Chase Lake from 1917 to about 1930, providing dance music. He provided music for popular night clubs like Le Paradis.
Davis in the early 1920s had two groups appearing under his name at the same time--one at the Willard Hotel in Washington and one at a hotel in Philadelphia, Davis shuttling between the two.
He was called the Toscanini of society band leaders.
Eventually a "Meyer Davis Orchestra" was provided for many debutante balls and weddings.
From 1929 to 1932 or so, Meyer Davis led the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra.
At the height of his career, Davis owned 80 orchestras or bands, employing over 1,000 musicians.
Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, and Tommy Dorsey played in the Davis Orchestra for a while.
Meyer Davis died in New York City on April 5, 1976.
"A Year From Today" 1920s dance band music Meyer Davis' Astor Hotel Orchestra
