John Sebastian

John Sebastian (born John Sebastian Pugliese; April 25, 1914 − August 18, 1980) was an American musician and composer known as a master of the classical chromatic harmonica. He was the first harmonicist to adopt an all-classical repertoire and, along with Larry Adler and Tommy Reilly, established the harmonica as a serious instrument for classical music. In addition to performing, Sebastian increased the range of classical music available for the harmonica by transcribing numerous existing classical works for the harmonica, composing works of his own, and commissioning or otherwise encouraging other composers to write for the instrument.

He is the father of singer-songwriter John B. Sebastian, a founder of the popular 1960s folk rock band The Lovin' Spoonful.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 25, 1914 (Philadelphia), Died August 18, 1980 (Périgord)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1946 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: harmonica, 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 D6VB-2834 10-in. 9/9/1946 Ritual fire dance John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with piano instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor D6VB-2835 10-in. 9/9/1946 Moroccan serenade John Sebastian Harmonica solo instrumentalist, harmonica, composer  
Victor D6VB-2836 10-in. 9/9/1946 Inca dance John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with drums instrumentalist, harmonica, composer  
Victor PD6VB-2837 10-in. 9/10/1946 Harmonica player John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor PD6VB-2838 10-in. 9/10/1946 Malaguena John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor PD6VB-2839 10-in. 9/10/1946 Stompe a la Turca (with apologies to Mozart) John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor PD6VB-2840 10-in. 9/10/1946 Aria John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with string orchestra instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor D7VB-0299 10-in. 5/14/1947 Song of the black swan John Sebastian Harmonica solo, with piano instrumentalist, harmonica  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sebastian, John," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/359023.

Sebastian, John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/359023.

"Sebastian, John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/359023

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