New Orleans’ First Record Label: Louis Vasnier and the Louisiana

Phonograph Co., 1891

Tim BrooksTim Brooks

Author, Author, Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919

New Orleans, 1890

The Phonograph in New Orleans

Early 1880s: Tin foil phonograph exhibitedEarly 1880s: Tin foil phonograph exhibited 1889: Four brothers found Texas Phono. 1889: Four brothers found Texas Phono.

Co. in GalvestonCo. in Galveston H. Lee and Robert SellersH. Lee and Robert Sellers Hugh and Thomas ConyngtonHugh and Thomas Conyngton

1891: They found Louisiana Phono. Co.1891: They found Louisiana Phono. Co. Jan. 26, 1891: Demonstration at TulaneJan. 26, 1891: Demonstration at Tulane

Louisiana Phonograph Co.

Emphasized entertainment from startEmphasized entertainment from start Import music cylinders from NorthImport music cylinders from North Active program recording “local talent”Active program recording “local talent”

Conyngtons proselytize in The Phonogram May 7, 1891: 1st coin-in-slot machine

placed in May’s Palace Drug Store on Canal and Chartres

Canal Street, 1890s

West End Pavilion, Lake Pontchartrain

The Phonogram, July 1892

The Phonogram, August 1892

Louis “Bebe” Vasnier

Born 1858 in New Orleans, “creole of Born 1858 in New Orleans, “creole of color”color”

House painterHouse painter Talented comic, banjo playerTalented comic, banjo player 1880s: Johnson & Vasnier’s Colored 1880s: Johnson & Vasnier’s Colored

Minstrels, as sidelineMinstrels, as sideline 1891: Makes first recordings1891: Makes first recordings

Louis “Bebe” Vasnier

1891-93: Actively recording1891-93: Actively recording Sold nationally, played by exhibitors in northSold nationally, played by exhibitors in north Samples sent to Thomas A. EdisonSamples sent to Thomas A. Edison Promoted at Mardi GrasPromoted at Mardi Gras Repertoire:Repertoire:

Banjo solos, quartetsBanjo solos, quartets ““Brudder Rasmus” sermonsBrudder Rasmus” sermons

Louisiana Phonograph Co. – Later History

1893: Major economic downturn in U.S.1893: Major economic downturn in U.S. 1893-94: Company winds down1893-94: Company winds down 1894: Moves out of Equitable Bldg.1894: Moves out of Equitable Bldg. 1896: Becomes kinetoscope agency1896: Becomes kinetoscope agency 1897: Last listing in city directory1897: Last listing in city directory

Louis Vasnier – Later History

1897-98: Reported as sick, off stage1897-98: Reported as sick, off stage 1898: Moves to St. Louis, MO1898: Moves to St. Louis, MO 1899: Marries1899: Marries 1900: Advertises in 1900: Advertises in Indianapolis FreemanIndianapolis Freeman

Original monologuesOriginal monologues Five dialectsFive dialects ““The only colored comedian who can do it”The only colored comedian who can do it”

Jan 24, 1902: Dies of consumptionJan 24, 1902: Dies of consumption

The Vasnier Cylinder

Only surviving exampleOnly surviving example ““Trophy” owned by a series of collectorsTrophy” owned by a series of collectors

John Coles, Rich Reinold – 1980sJohn Coles, Rich Reinold – 1980s Reported clear, understandableReported clear, understandable None preserved itNone preserved it To John S. Dales (U.K.)To John S. Dales (U.K.) By 1990s, audio destroyedBy 1990s, audio destroyed

When will we ever learn?When will we ever learn?

Thank You!

www.timbrooks.net

For more on this and related subjectssee Lost Sounds