“In Wintertime Waltz”
McKee’s Orchestra
1915 (Victor 35511 B)
McKee’s Orchestra – In Wintertime Waltz]
Here is a charming waltz composed by Frank W. McKee and performed by his orchestra. I have not been able to find much information about McKee. He composed a number of waltzes and conducted around 30 sides for Victor between 1914 and 1917.
McKee also recorded six sides as the Castle House Orchestra in February 1914. Most recordings under the Castle House Orchestra name were made by pioneering black bandleader James Reese Europe. For whatever reason, the less “hot” recordings of waltzes, maxixes and tangos were assigned to McKee. As with Europe’s recordings, McKee’s Castle House recordings were made under the personal supervision of Vernon Castle.
I have not been able to determine whether or not McKee’s band was strictly a Victor in-house studio ensemble or whether it performed elsewhere.
Radio Dismuke