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J. Alfred Tanner

Johan Alfred Tanner, better known as J. Alfred Tanner, (March 16, 1884 – May 27, 1927) was a Finnish singer and songwriter. He is considered as one of Finland's most important songwriters ever, he wrote the lyrics to over 100 songs and recorded about 70 of them.

Tanner was born in Artjärvi but grew up Helsinki. Initially he worked as a builder, but had to change his occupation when a building designed by architect Gustaf Estlander collapsed in Kaivopuisto in 1907, even though Tanner was not responsible for the disaster. Instead, Tanner became an entertainer and started to perform at the cinematograph Helikon at Kluuvinkatu in Helsinki. There he became good friend with Rafael Ramstedt and Theodor Weissman, with whom he also performed at the capital's restaurants and cafes.

Between 1911 and 1926, Tanner recorded 70 songs in Finland, Sweden and Germany. The 1924 recording session was made in Camden, New Jersey. Tanner made a visit in the US in 1922, but the socialistic Finnish American settlers boycotted his performances, because for them Tanner was a symbol for the white Finland. In the 1920s, Tanner was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died at his summer place Nujula in Rautalampi.

Some of Tanner's most popular songs are Kulkurin valssi, Orpopojan valssi, Laulu on iloni ja työni and Kalle Aaltonen. His co-worker and personal friend Rafael Ramstedt translated a few of his songs to Swedish and recorded them. Many of Tanner's songs are published in the book Kuolemattomat kupletit and in several song booklets.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 16, 1884 (Artjärvi), Died May 27, 1927 (Rautalampi)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, lyricist, composer

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-24712 10-in. 12/1/1920 Kulkurin valssi Juho Koskelo Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-27859 10-in. 4/30/1923 Orpopojan valssi Juho Koskelo Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-27860 10-in. 4/30/1923 Kalle Aaltonen Juho Koskelo Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-27861 10-in. 4/30/1923 Liisa ja lasse Juho Koskelo Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-30255 10-in. 6/9/1924 Tuhatjärvien lumien maa J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-30257 10-in. 6/9/1924 Kymmenen pientä neekeripoikaa J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-30258 10-in. 6/9/1924 Oi sä hellä Helsinkimme J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano composer, vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-30259 10-in. 6/9/1924 Nujalan talkoopolkka J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano composer, vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-30260 10-in. 6/9/1924 Viimeinen lautta J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-30261 10-in. 6/9/1924 Jannen hanuripolkka J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-57440 10-in. 11/21/1929 Laulu on iloni ja työni Laine-Toppila Orkesteri Accordion and xylophone duet composer  
Columbia 87485 10-in. approximately June 1921 Kulkurin valssi Juho Koskelo Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Gramophone BW129 10-in. 7/15/1926 Nujulan kaupungin historia J. Alfred Tanner Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, baritone vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tanner, J. Alfred," accessed November 5, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/209998.

Tanner, J. Alfred. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/209998.

"Tanner, J. Alfred." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/209998

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