“Dance of the Demon” – Victor Arden Phil Ohman (1922)

Adding a few spooky-themed records to my 78 rpm Halloween playlist today:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwGgF5a3aa_-7YmPtE_8PS6hY96fGhEP

Victor Arden was born in Winona, IL in 1903 and attended the American Conservatory of Music before moving to NYC after WWI to make piano rolls and record with the All Star Trio and Green Brothers.

Phil Ohman was born in New Britain, Connecticut in 1896 and was also working in NYC recording with Harry Yerkes, the Happy Six and the Paul Whiteman orchestra. He even pulled together his own dance orchestra to record a few sides for Edison in 1921-22.

Arden and Ohman began playing together in 1921 and collaborated musically until the mid 30s. Both went on to have successful careers directing studio orchestras for radio and film.

Here, they perform “Dance of The Demon” (Grand Galop de Concert) by Eduard Holst, composed in 1888. A lively duet!

Recorded in Camden, New Jersey on December 5, 1922.
Released as Victor 19041.

Credits:
Victor Arden, Phil Ohman – piano

Sources:
The Complete Encyclopedia of Popular Music and Jazz 1900-1950, Roger D. Kinkle
The American Dance Band Discography 1917-1942, Brian Rust