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Take Me to the Land of Jazz Songbook

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2192

  • Staff Only

This collection contains a 1919 songbook for Take Me to the Land of Jazz, lyrics by Bert Kalmar & Edgar Leslie, music by Pete Wendling, published by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co. of New York City, N.Y. It opens with It was down in Tennessee / That the Jazzy melody / Originated, then waited, for popularity. The chorus states Take me to the Land of Jazz, Let me hear the kind of blues that Memphis has.

See The Sheet Music Collections in and MS.1575 for songs by Pete Wendling.

Dates

  • 1919

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection contains a 1919 songbook for Take Me to the Land of Jazz, lyrics by Bert Kalmar & Edgar Leslie, music by Pete Wendling.

Biographical/Historical Note

Bert Kalmar (1884-1947) was a comedian in vaudeville, magician, and half of the renowned songwriting team of Kalmar and Ruby with Harry Ruby. The two began working together in Tin Pan Alley in New York City, N.Y. Kalmar had hits on Broadway and, when the team moved to Hollywood, had hits in the movies. Some successful songs include I Wanna Be Loved by You,My Sunny Tennessee (the team's first hit song), and A Kiss to Build a Dream On.

Edgar Leslie (1885-1976) began writing songs for vaudeville but got his professional start collaborating with Irving Berlin, including Someone's Waiting for Me (We'll Wait, Wait, Wait) and Let's All Be Americans Now. Much success came with works he wrote for Al Jolson, including a song for the first talkieThe Jazz Singer. His most well known hits include For Me and My Gal, used in the 1942 musical with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland, and Moon over Miami. In 1931, Leslie co-founded the Songwriters Protective Association, which evolved into the present-day Songwriters Guild of America union.

Pete Wendling (1888-1974) gained fame during the mid 1910s as a popular music composer with hits, such as Yaka Hula, Hickey Doola and Felix The Cat. He was also a top pianist and set a long-standing record when he appeared at the London Hippodrome for 8 consecutive weeks. He then started to record his performances on paper rolls for player pianos in 1914. From 1925 until his retirement in the 1950's, he concentrated on his composing career.

The three wrote several songs together, including Take Me to the Land of Jazz,Take Your Girlie To The Movies (If You Can't Make Love At Home),Oh! What A Pal Was Mary, and All The Quakers Are Shoulder Shakers Down In Quaker Town.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

Collection is property of the UT Special Collections Library.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480