Interview with Jim Prohaska, April 12, 1996

Interview Summary

In this interview with Jim Prohaska, Prohaska and the interviewer talk about Jeanette Records in Cleveland (Ohio). Schmidt Horning and Prohaska discuss early recording labels in Cleveland (Ohio), such as Vocalian Records, Eagle Records, and Okeh Records. Schmidt Horning and Prohaska also talk about the creation and early days of Cleveland Recording Studios, which started as a radio transcription service, as well as Schneider Recording and Curtis White Recording. They then talk about record labels that originated in the city.
Prohaska talks about when Okeh Records came to record in Cleveland (Ohio) in the 1920s. He then talks about Peer?s accomplishments as a recording director, recording such greats as Jimmie Rodgers and Jelly Roll Morton. Prohaska then recalls stories of recording jazz greats such as King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. They then talk about the remastering of a Duke Ellington recording.
Prohaska also talks about the placement of microphones in recordings from the 1920s and talks about early audio engineers in the 1920s. Finally, the interview ends with Prohaska showing his record collection and explaining the meaning of matrix numbers and other markings on records.

Interview Keyword

Prohaska, Jim Audio engineering Cleveland (Ohio) Cleveland Recording Studios Schneider Recording Studios Curtis White Recording Studios LaMothe, Ferdinand ?Jelly Roll Morton? OKeh Records Jazz music Nordskog, Arne Marsh, Orlando

Interview LC Subject

Sound--Recording and reproducing Sound--Recording and reproducing--History Sound recording industry Sound recording industry--History Sound recordings Music History of science and technology Cleveland (Ohio) Morton, Jelly Roll, -1941. Jazz. OKeh Records (Firm) Record labels

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.