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Will Oakland

Will Oakland (January 15, 1880–May 15, 1956) was an American countertenor famed for his exceptionally high vocal range. He was born Herman Hinrichs in Jersey City, New Jersey, to German-American immigrant parents.

Oakland began his musical career after leaving the United States Army in 1905, joining Lew Dockstader's minstrels in Rochester, New York. He began recording for Edison Records in 1908, soon after Richard Jose's retirement. In addition to appearing as a solo performer, Oakland recorded duets with Billy Murray, sometimes singing the female part in love songs. He often sang woeful, sentimental songs that contrasted with Murray's usually upbeat repertoire.

From 1912 to 1914 Oakland recorded in the Heidelberg Quintet, joining the members of the American Quartet.

He recorded the song "As I sat upon my dear old mother's knee" by Joseph P. Skelly.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 15, 1880, Died May 15, 1956

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: countertenor vocal, lyricist, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 123 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-6822 10-in. 2/19/1909 When you and I were young, Maggie Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6823 10-in. 2/19/1909 Silver threads among the gold Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6870 10-in. 3/10/1909 When the autumn moon is creeping thro' the woodlands Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6871 10-in. 3/10/1909 When the winter days are over Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-6872 10-in. 3/10/1909 The longest way round is the shortest way home Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8146 10-in. 8/13/1909 I'm tired of living without you Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8147 10-in. 8/13/1909 White wings Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8919 10-in. 5/6/1910 My beautiful Irish maid Haydn Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal quartet and male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8920 10-in. 5/6/1910 Only a pansy blossom Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8921 10-in. 5/6/1910 My wild Irish rose Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-8922 10-in. 5/6/1910 The story of the rose Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9161 10-in. 7/12/1910 In the gloaming American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9162 10-in. 7/12/1910 Who will care for Mother now? American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9163 10-in. 7/12/1910 Wait till the clouds roll by Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9164 10-in. 7/12/1910 Mack's lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor C-9165 12-in. 7/12/1910 When the robins nest again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9650 10-in. 11/15/1910 Mother Machree Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9651 10-in. 11/15/1910 Eileen Allanna Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-9652 10-in. 11/15/1910 The star, the rose and the dream Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-11875 10-in. 4/15/1912 Under the love tree Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal solo and chorus, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-11876 10-in. 4/15/1912 I want to love you while the music's playing Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12050 10-in. 5/28/1912 At the club American Quartet ; Will Oakland Male vocal quartet and soloist, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12085 10-in. 6/7/1912 Way down south Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12086 10-in. 6/7/1912 Emmet's lullaby Heidelberg Quintette ; Will Oakland Male vocal quintet, unaccompanied vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Victor B-12180 10-in. 7/11/1912 On a beautiful night with a beautiful girl Heidelberg Quintette Male vocal quintet, unaccompanied vocalist, countertenor vocal  
(Results 1-25 of 123 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Oakland, Will," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

Oakland, Will. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

"Oakland, Will." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630

External Sources

Wikipedia: Will Oakland

IMDb: Will Oakland

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Oakland, Will, 1883-1956 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no97077352

Wikidata: Will Oakland - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q8002992

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/36528166

FAST: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/409850

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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