Henry Halstead

Henry Halsteads Orchestra began in early 1922 and over the nextyears Halsteads band engagements extended from coast to coast, including the Blossom Room at Hotel Roosevelt, New York City the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago and a season at Fatty Arbuckles Plantation in Culver City where such entertainers as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Gus Edwards, and Leatrice Joy were headliners on his shows. Henry Halstead had fromtobandmembers at any given time. Halsteads orchestra appeared in numerous short subjects on the screen and has made over 100 phonograph records, mainly with Victor Records. In addition, Halstead appeared in short films released by RKO Radio.

Henry Halstead was born November 16, 1897 in El Paso, Texas and died on March 19, 1984 in California. As a young boy, Halstead learned to play violin. After studying the violin foryears, Hank Halstead turned professional whenplaying clubs and hotels at the tables. In 1919, Henry Halstead played violin withother men that went on to become famous Big Band Leaders, Abe Lyman and Gus Arnheim. Theyoung men played in a band together at the Sunset Inn in Santa Monica, California. Abe Lyman played drums and Gus Arnheim played piano. Roy Fox, not well known in America but later a ranking bandmaster in England, played the trumpet on occasion with them. Even early on Halstead dressed the part, a tuxedo was a must and he must have worn out a few of them over the nextyears.

Source: Wikipedia