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Nat D. Ayer

Nathaniel Davis Ayer (August 5, 1887 – September 19, 1952) was an American composer, pianist, singer and actor. He made most of his career composing and performing in England in Edwardian musical comedy and revue. He also contributed songs to Broadway shows, including some of the Ziegfeld Follies.

Ayer's most successful shows were the World War I hits The Bing Boys Are Here (1916) and Yes, Uncle (1917). His best-known Broadway song was "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" (1911). Of his many songs composed for London shows, his most famous is probably "If You Were the Only Girl In the World" (1916). After the war, he had less success and was declared bankrupt in 1938.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 30, 1887 (Boston), Died September 19, 1952

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, baritone vocal, lyricist

= 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-6966 10-in. 4/6/1909 The boogie boo Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-8134 10-in. 8/9/1909 Dixie Land, I love you Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-8135 10-in. 8/9/1909 Can't you see I love you Ada Jones ; Billy Murray Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-9514 10-in. 10/5/1910 King Chanticleer Ed Morton Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-9524 10-in. 10/7/1910 The man in the silvery moon Helen Clark ; Haydn Quartet Female vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-11047 10-in. 10/2/1911 Oh, you beautiful doll American Quartet ; Billy Murray Male vocal quartet and vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-11305 10-in. 11/24/1911 If you talk in your sleep, don't mention my name Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-11586 10-in. 2/12/1912 Gee! But I like music with my meals Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-11612 10-in. 2/26/1912 Oh, you beautiful doll Arthur Pryor's Band Band composer  
Victor B-11835 10-in. 4/9/1912 King Chanticleer Arthur Pryor's Band Band composer  
Victor B-11902 10-in. 4/22/1912 Daddy American Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-12051 10-in. 5/28/1912 You're my baby American Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-12114 10-in. 6/18/1912 Mysterious moon American Quartet ; Edna Brown Female vocal solo and male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-12754 10-in. 12/31/1912 There's no place like home (When there's no place else to go) Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-13839 10-in. 9/22/1913 That ragtime suffragette Nat M. Wills Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-13950 10-in. 10/10/1913 At the midnight masquerade Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-14636 10-in. 3/26/1914 Everybody loves my girl Billy Watkins Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-28602 10-in. 9/24/1923 Where the rainbow ends John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-28603 10-in. 9/24/1923 Somewhere in the world John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with violin, piano, and orchestra composer  
Victor B-29800 10-in. 3/24/1924 Somewhere in the world Phil Spitalny Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-29983 10-in. 5/9/1924 Where the rainbow ends Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34022 10-in. 12/6/1925 If you were the only girl Herbert Berger ; Coronado Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-34353 10-in. 1/22/1926 Oh, how I've waited for you George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Victor BVE-57138 10-in. 11/6/1929 If you were the only girl Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor D6VB-1367 10-in. 3/21/1946 If you were the only girl Perry Como ; Russ Case Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 4170 10-in. ca. 1909 Moving day in Jungle Town Columbia Quartette Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 19623 10-in. 10/25/1911 Oh, you beautiful doll Columbia Quartette Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 19687 10-in. 12/11/1911 If you talk in your sleep, don't mention my name Dolly Connolly Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 19788 10-in. 3/6/1912 King Chanticleer Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia 38397 10-in. 11/6/1912 You're my baby Ada Jones ; Walter Van Brunt Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 39043 10-in. 10/14/1913 At that midnight masquerade Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 39296 10-in. 3/24/1914 Everybody loves my girl Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 81424 10-in. 12/18/1923 Somewhere in the world Edwin Dale Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Columbia 81778 10-in. 5/13/1924 Where the rainbow ends Lewis James ; May Meredith Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia W141559 10-in. 1/26/1926 Oh, how I've waited for you Donald Lindley ; Miff Mole ; Arthur Schutt Trumpet, trombone, and piano composer  
Columbia W149486 10-in. 11/25/1929 If you were the only girl Art Gillham Male vocal solo composer  
Columbia 6508 12-in. approximately 1915 Dear old Saturday night Violet Loraine Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6613 12-in. approximately 1915 You great big wonderful baby Jacob's Trocaderians Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6622 12-in. approximately 1915 Bric-a-brac selections, part 1 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6623 12-in. approximately 1915 Bric-a-brac selections, part 2 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6801 12-in. approximately 1916 Bing Boys are here, selections, part 1 Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; John Ansell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6802 12-in. approximately 1916 Bing Boys are here, selections, part 2 Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; John Ansell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6803 12-in. approximately 1916 Another little drink wouldn't do us any harm Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; Alfred Lester ; Violet Loraine ; George Robey Vocal trio with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6804 12-in. approximately 1916 I stopped, I looked, I listened Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; George Robey Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6805 12-in. approximately 1916 If you were the only boy in the world, and I were the onlyl girl Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; Violet Loraine ; George Robey Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6806 12-in. approximately 1916 In other words Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; George Robey Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6807 12-in. approximately 1916 Bing Boys are here, selections part 1 Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; John Ansell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6808 12-in. approximately 1916 Bing Boys are here, selections part 2 Alhambra Theatre Orchestra ; John Ansell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6811 12-in. approximately 1916 If you were the only girl in the world Mabel Lee ; Geo. F. Murray Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6813 12-in. approximately 1916 Another little drink Melanie Castel Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 6832 12-in. approximately May 1916 Languid melody Odette Myrtil ; Odette Myrtil Female vocal solo, with violin composer  
Columbia 6884 12-in. approximately 1916 Bong Boys, two step London Repertoire Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6885 12-in. approximately 1916 Waltz London Repertoire Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6915 12-in. approximately 1916 Little red pub on the hill Mabel Lee ; Geo. F. Murray Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 69955 10-in. approximately 1920 Dixie wedding bells Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 69956 10-in. approximately 1920 She was wonderful Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 69957 10-in. approximately 1920 Ain't cha coming back, Mary Ann, to Maryland Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 69965 10-in. approximately 1920 Back home in Tennessee Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71471 10-in. approximately 1921 I never knew Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71472 10-in. approximately 1921 Coal black memmy Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71473 10-in. approximately 1922 Linger a little longer Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71474 10-in. approximately 1922 Wonderful, wonderful you Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71475 10-in. approximately 1922 Ain't we got fun? Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71476 10-in. approximately 1922 Down yonder Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71666 10-in. approximately 1922 Ma! Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71667 10-in. approximately 1922 Shufflin' along Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71668 10-in. approximately 1922 I never meant to, dear Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71669 10-in. approximately 1922 Wonderful, wonderful you Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71670 10-in. approximately 1922 Some fellows get all the girls Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 71671 10-in. approximately 1922 She's mine, all mine Nat D. Ayer vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 75296 12-in. approximately 1916 Never let your right hand know what your left hand's doing Ciro's Club Coon Orchestra Instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia 75379 12-in. approximately 1917 Houp la, selection, pt. 1 London Repertoire Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 75449 12-in. approximately 1917 Let the great big world keep turning; Monkey parade Ciro's Club Coon Orchestra Instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia 75493 12-in. approximately 1917 Bing Girls are there, selecdtion, part 1 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 75494 12-in. approximately 1917 Bing Girls are there, selecdtion, part 2 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76123 12-in. approximately 1918 The Bing Boys on Broadway, selection, part 1 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76124 12-in. approximately 1918 The Bing Boys on Broadway, selection, part 2 London Revue Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76125 12-in. approximately February 1918 First love, last love, best love Clara Evelyn ; George Robey Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76126 12-in. approximately February 1918 Day after day Clara Evelyn ; George Robey Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76127 12-in. approximately February 1918 Shurr-up George Robey Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76128 12-in. approximately February 1918 The fact is... George Robey Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76155 12-in. approximately 1918 Bing Boys on Broadway, vocal gems, part 1 Columbia Vocal Gem Comapny Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76156 12-in. approximately 1918 Bing Boys on Broadway, vocal gems, part 2 Columbia Vocal Gem Comapny Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76501 12-in. approximately 1919 Think of me London Dance Orchestra ; Corelli Windeatt Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76670 12-in. approximately October 1919 Baby Bunting, selection, part 1 Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76671 12-in. approximately October 1919 Baby Bunting, selection, part 2 Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76672 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 If I were a boy Joyce Barbour ; Daisy Elliston ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76673 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 My home while you wait Joyce Barbour ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76674 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 At the ball Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76675 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Listen, baby Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76676 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Married life Dorothy Brunton ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76677 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 What's the matter with 59? Davy Burnaby ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Male vocal solo, with orchestra and chorus composer  
Columbia 76678 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Green grass grew all round Dorothy Brunton ; Davy Burnaby ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76679 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Supposing Dorothy Brunton ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76680 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Bless the girls Frank Attree ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Male vocal trio, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76681 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Tally ho! Davy Burnaby ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76682 12-in. approximately 10/30/1919 Cricket in November Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76683 12-in. approximately 10/30/1919 If you love me Daisy Elliston ; Gleesome Singers ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Vocal duet with orchestra and chorus composer  
Columbia 76684 12-in. approximately 10/30/1919 I wonder why Daisy Elliston ; Gleesome Singers ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Vocal duet with orchestra and chorus composer  
OKeh W403248 10-in. 11/11/1929 If you were the only girl Ed Kirkeby Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Brunswick 12320-12321 10-in. 1/17/1924 Somewhere in the world Theo Karle Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Brunswick 13889-13890 10-in. 10/7/1924 Where the rainbow ends Allen McQuhae Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Brunswick DAL577 10-in. 5/17/1938 Oh you beautiful doll Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys String band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 4299 10-in. 11/29/1915 Down yonder in Normandy Delos Becker Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6465 10-in. between 11/12/1918 and 11/27/1918 Indian moon Vernon Dalhart Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 9284 10-in. 12/12/1923 Somewhere in the world Harvey Hindermyer Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Edison 10795 10-in. 1/27/1926 Oh, how I've waited for you Arthur Hall ; Tennessee Happy Boys Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Vocalion 22636 10-in. 3/29/1938 Oh you beautiful doll Frank Novak and his Rootin' Tootin' Boys Instrumental ensemble, with mixed vocal group composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Ayer, Nat D.," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102551.

Ayer, Nat D.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102551.

"Ayer, Nat D.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102551

External Sources

Wikipedia: Nat D. Ayer

IMDb: Nat D. Ayer

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Ayer, Nat D., 1887-1952 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79113554

Wikidata: Nat D. Ayer - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3336284

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/18506469

MusicBrainz: Nat D. Ayer - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/ce48e85a-4c5e-4131-b368-689e3eec30a1

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

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