Albert Benzler

Albert Benzler was with the Edison company between April 28, 1904 and April 16, 1908. One of their most versatile studio artists, Benzler played orchestra bells, chimes, xylophone, piano, organ and occasionally helped out in the Edison Orchestra on violin. He usually had standard selections prepared to fill in should an artist not appear or be in poor voice. Benzler's records were usually good sellers and could always be used to fill out a supplement.

During his time at Edison, Benzler made thirty-four solo recordings on bells and twenty-five on xylophone. He also re-recorded for Edison some of the popular titles originally performed by J. Frank Hopkins before 1904. Shortly after his arrival at Edison, Benzler made two recordings of bells and chimes duets with Henry Nesbit (including A Summer Dream #8956, recorded in April 1905). The only other xylophonist to appear in the Edison catalog during Benzler’s stay was Frederick W. Hager, who made one recording with Benzler of the xylophone and bells duet Blue Bell #8829, recorded at the end of 1904.

Benzler resigned from Edison to become music director for the new U.S. Phonograph Company that began producing two-minute celluloid records in 1908. By 1909, they were selling four-minute celluloid records under the Everlasting label. Benzler made ten xylophone solo and five bells solos on four-minute records. He also recorded a few piano numbers. He remained at U.S. Phonograph until 1913 when the business closed.

Photos courtesy James A. Strain

This information is taken from The New Amberola Graphic, No. 79 (January 1992): 4. See also William Cahn, The Xylophone in Acoustic Recordings (1877 to 1929). Bloomfield, NY: Cahn Publishing, 1996.

Listen to the Cylinders:

Bell Solo from “The Magic Flute” (Mozart), bells. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9324 (2 minutes). Recorded August 1906.

Blue Bell, bells/xylophone duet with Frederick W. Hager. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8829 (2 minutes). Recorded November/December 1904.

The Chaser March (Ruby), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9213 (2 minutes). Recorded February 1906.

The Chorus Lady March (Kingsbury), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9597 (2 minutes). Recorded July 1907.

Come, Take a Trip in My Air-Ship Medley (introducing “Come Take a Trip in My Air-Ship,” “Please Come and Play in My Yard,” “Let’s All Go Up to Maud’s” and “I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed, You Can’t Touch Me”), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8931 (2 minutes). Recorded March 1905.

Down in Blossom Row Medley (introducing “Down in Blossom Row,” “Susan Van Doozen” and “On a Summer Night”), xylophone. “In Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9044 (2 minutes). Recorded July 1905.

The Girls of America March (Duganne) xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9753 (2 minutes). Recorded February 1908.

Happy Lena Polka, xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9397 (2 minutes). Recorded November 1906.

He’s Me Pal Medley (introducing “He’s Me Pal,” “Down At the Baby Store,” “Daddy Dear” and “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree”), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8990 (2 minutes). Recorded May 1905.

Killarney, from “Rogers Bros. in Ireland” (Hoffman and Hoffman), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9165 (2 minutes). Recorded December 1905.

L’Espirit Francaise, xylophone. Everlasting 1426 (4 minutes). Recorded c. 1911-1912.

Making Eyes Medley (introducing “Making Eyes,” “Waltzing With the Girl You Love,” “Come Along, Little Girl, Come Along” and “Give My Regards to Broadway”), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9104 (2 minutes). Recorded October 1905.

March “Jose” (Blum), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9453 (2 minutes). Recorded January 1907.

Red Wing Medley (introducing “Red Wing,” “You’ll Not Be Forgotten, Lady Lou,” “She Was a Grand Old Lady” and “Every Little Bit Added to What You’ve Got Makes Just a Little Bit More”), xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9645 (2 minutes). Recorded September 1907.

Spoontime, xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9348 (2 minutes). Recorded September 1906.

A Summer Dream, bells/chimes duet with Henry Nesbit. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8956 (2 minutes). Recorded April 1905.

Sweetheart March, xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 9809 (2 minutes). Recorded April 1908.

Uncle Sammy March, xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8586 (2 minutes). Recorded 1904.

Yankee Girl March (Lampe), bells. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8868 (2 minutes). Recorded January 1905.

Yarney’s Ideal, xylophone. Edison Gold Moulded cylinder 8792 (2 minutes). Recorded September 1904.