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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 76-100 of 123 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 19270 10-in. 4/7/1911 It's a long way back to dear old Mother's knee Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19308 10-in. 4/25/1911 I’ll await my love Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19309 10-in. 4/25/1911 We're growing old together Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19408 10-in. 6/15/1911 White wings Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19409 10-in. 6/15/1911 Just one word of consolation Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19456 10-in. 7/12/1911 Peek-a-boo Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19457 10-in. 7/12/1911 Baby mine Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19459 10-in. 7/12/1911 Take this letter to my mother Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19460 10-in. 7/17/1911 Only to see her face again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19817 10-in. 3/16/1912 When the robins nest again Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19818 10-in. 3/16/1912 Mother Machree Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19819 10-in. 3/16/1912 Wait till the clouds roll by Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 19820 10-in. 3/16/1912 We've been chums for fifty years Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38172 10-in. 8/2/1912 With all her faults I love her still Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38173 10-in. 8/2/1912 As I sat upon my dear old mother's knee Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38800 10-in. 4/21/1913 Emmet's lullaby Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38801 10-in. 4/21/1913 Garland of old fashioned roses Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38802 10-in. 4/22/1913 You're just as sweet at sixty as you were at sweet sixteen Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 38803 10-in. 4/22/1913 Pretty pond lilies Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 39467 10-in. 6/29/1914 Dear love days Lyric Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 39468 10-in. 6/29/1914 Everything reminds me of that old sweetheart of mine Lyric Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 141881 10-in. 3/29/1926 Let's grow old together Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter, vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 141882 10-in. 3/29/1926 Gone Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
Columbia 142194 10-in. 5/12/1926 Wait till my ship comes in Irving Kaufman Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
OKeh 622 10-in. ca. Mar. 1919 When Ireland comes into her own Will Oakland Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, countertenor vocal  
(Results 76-100 of 123 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Oakland, Will," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

Oakland, Will. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110630.

"Oakland, Will." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.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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