Vess Ossman (1868 – 1923) was a leading 5-string banjoist and popular recor… Read Full Bio ↴Vess Ossman (1868 – 1923) was a leading 5-string banjoist and popular recording artist.
Sylvester Louis Ossman was born August 21, 1868 in Hudson, New York, USA. He made his first recordings in 1893. He became one of the most recorded musicians of his day, recording marches, cakewalks, rags, and other instrumentals. He also accompanied popular singers including Arthur Collins and Len Spencer.
He performed in the USA and England. Late in his career he led his own dance bands in Dayton, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. He died December 7, 1923 in Fairmont, Minnesota.
Ossman played in what is now known as the classical banjo style. He fingerpicked gut strings using a technique similar to classical guitarists.
Some of his recordings include "St. Louis Tickle", "Yankee Doodle", "Rusty Rags", "Maple Leaf Rag", "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "A Bit of Blarney", "My Irish Molly O", "A Gay Gosson", "Yankee Girl", "Bill Simmons", "Karama".
Sylvester Louis Ossman was born August 21, 1868 in Hudson, New York, USA. He made his first recordings in 1893. He became one of the most recorded musicians of his day, recording marches, cakewalks, rags, and other instrumentals. He also accompanied popular singers including Arthur Collins and Len Spencer.
He performed in the USA and England. Late in his career he led his own dance bands in Dayton, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. He died December 7, 1923 in Fairmont, Minnesota.
Ossman played in what is now known as the classical banjo style. He fingerpicked gut strings using a technique similar to classical guitarists.
Some of his recordings include "St. Louis Tickle", "Yankee Doodle", "Rusty Rags", "Maple Leaf Rag", "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "A Bit of Blarney", "My Irish Molly O", "A Gay Gosson", "Yankee Girl", "Bill Simmons", "Karama".
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Smoky Mokes
Vess L. Ossman Lyrics
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The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
@transformingArt
Despite all these surface noises, it's very clear and forward for a Berliner - I have few of these but none sounds as vivid as this one - not even Sousa's Band recordings. Many thanks for posting this ; you certainly have quite a collection.
@Onkel_Greifenklau
This is a remarkably clear recording for 1900. And what a performance! I have another Berliner that Ossman recorded in London at the same time--Yankee Doodle with Variations; I'll post it in the near future.
@bedfordbanjoshop
Great clear sound - thanks!
@EdisonSquirrel
Very good sound!
@Onkel_Greifenklau
I have a few of them, but I think this one is my favorite. I'm glad you appreciate it!
@miguelosvaldofloresdomingu8911
Damm that's so great music. Although the quality of the recording sistems, this performance stands by itself.
@Westtoledoguy
any early records (cylinders or disks) love them
@Westtoledoguy
never seen an English Berliner very nice