Bohumir Kryl


Bohumir Kryl was a Czech-American financial executive and art collector who is most famous as a cornetist, bandleader, and pioneer recording artist, for both his solo work and as a leader of popular and Bohemian bands. He was one of the major creative figures in the era of American music known as the "Golden Age of the Bands".

Biography

Bohumir Kryl was born on 3 May 1875 at Hořice 230, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary. He was baptized Catholic 7 days later. His first instrument was the violin, which he studied at age 10. While attending school in Hořice he was classmates with Jan Kubelík, with whom he maintained correspondence. He spent time performing both the violin and the cornet for a circus band in Prague. He also performed as an aerialist acrobat with the Rentz Circus in Germany, but an accident in 1886 ended this line of work. His father was a sculptor, and Bohumir also studied this art. He emigrated to the United States in 1889, paying the fare in part by performing with the ship's orchestra. Moving to Chicago, English sculptor H.R. Saunders furthered his profession in that area. Bohumir followed Saunders to Indianapolis and was soon employed, along with his brother, as a sculptor by General Lew Wallace and also working on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Simultaneously he joined the When Clothing Company Band, playing the cornet and soloing on this instrument. Before long he was hired by John Philip Sousa, but was fired in 1898 by Sousa because he copied some of the band's music for his own personal use. He then joined Thomas Preston Brooke's Chicago Marine Band, where he spent the next two years. During this time he studied with Weldon of Chicago's Second Regiment Band. In 1901 he spent some time with Phinney's United States Band, but he joined the Duss Band permanently that year. This group was based at Madison Square Garden, at $800 per-month and became its assistant conductor in 1903. This band, led by Frederick Innes, was not as well known, but he was hired as soloist, and the heavy touring schedule and two solos per concert gained him wide exposure. His solos would result in requests for multiple encores. Studying bandleaders Creatore and Vessela, he adopted a wild 'lionesque' hairstyle that became his trademark. He became acquainted with Joseph Jiran, who owned a Czechoslovak music store in Chicago. With Jiran's encouragement, he formed his own band in 1906 styled as Kryl's Bohemian Band by 1910 with the Cimera brothers. This group worked for Columbia, Victor, and Zonophone, recording works by such composers as Smetana, Dvorak, and Safranek. He earned the distinction of the first Czech musician to record on phonograph cylinders. Kryl's older brother František Xaverský Kryl became a band-leader in Chicago. An even older brother Jan Křtitel was president of the Pilsen Foundry & Iron Works there.
World War I interrupted his professional career, as he was serving in the U.S. Military. Here he attained the rank of Lieutenant and was given the title "Bandmaster of all the Military Camp Bands in the country". Immediately after the war he was touring with his bands, including many appearances on the Chautauqua circuit. This activity continued until he dismantled the band in 1931. From 1926 to 1929 he would spend winters at his mansion in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He built a bandshell on his property and would give numerous concerts each year. Through his compositions and band touring, he became a millionaire by the mid-1920s. He was a victim of an extortion attempt in 1929, but the perpetrator was caught and sentenced to prison. The Great Depression did not affect his personal affluence as much as others, as he was a bank president and a known financier in 1932. He later formed a "Women's Symphony Orchestra" that featured daughter Josephine on violin and daughter Marie on piano. He also formed and conducted the "Kryl Symphony Orchestra", which featured soloists such as Florian ZaBach and vocalist Mary McCormic. His public musical career ended in the late 1940s, when he had difficulties with the American Federation of Musicians, because although his musicians were well taken care of, he did not pay scale. His last groups played popular dance music as well as "heavier classics". Before his musical retirement, he had traveled more than one million miles and soloed more than 12,000 times. His touring included many small towns such as Albany, Oregon and Bend, Oregon, where his orchestra was the first appearance by any symphony orchestra. Aside from the United States, he toured Canada, Cuba, and Mexico with his bands and orchestras and America and Europe with his daughters. He later formed booking agency and a music bureau. An Honorary Doctor of Letters was given to him in 1957. Before his death he was President of the Berwyn National Bank, and was also involved in several savings and loans around the Chicago area. He died at his summer home in Wilmington, New York, on August 7, 1961, leaving an estate valued at over 1 million dollars. His widow was Mary Jerabek Kryl, originally of Vienna.

Musical style

Kryl was one of the few musicians who enjoyed successful dual careers as a mainstream musical artist and as an ethnic recording artist. He transitioned from a star soloist with the Sousa outfit to a leader of ethnic Czech music, and made the transition back to the broader national audience. Because of his solo ability, he was branded "the Caruso of the cornet". He was a master of producing pedal tones and the technique of multiphonic effects. He would hold a high note for a duration of one minute. As a conductor, he was well regarded, and known for his disuse of a score and baton.

Legacy

While never a jazz player, his technique was an influence on Louis Armstrong and Harry James.
Kryl became known as the "robber baron of the music field" because of his business talent and frugality. Upon not receiving his full fee, he was known to cancel concerts with audience members seated.
Kryl's two daughters became established musicians, performing with Bohumir's "Bohemian Band" as early as 1912. Kryl was insistent that his daughters become professional musicians. He offered each $100,000 if they were to remain single until the age of 30, so that their careers would not be stalled by the distractions of romance. Josephine Kryl, a pupil of Eugène Ysaÿe, spurned this offer in order to marry Dr. Paul White, director of the Rochester Civic Orchestra, in 1924, even though Bohumir managed to delay the wedding twice. Marie initially took the same course of action when she became engaged to Greek Count Spiro Hadji-Kyriacos. However, Marie broke her engagement and was able to collect the full amount from her father. Marie did wed at age 35 to composer and NBC conductor Michel Gusikoff. Both daughters continued their musical careers after marriage.
A popular Conn cornet model formally named the "Conn-queror" was nicknamed the "Kryl Model."
His band furthered the career of many Czech musicians, including Vlasta Sedlovská, Jaroslav Cimera on trombone, Leo Zelenka-Lerando on harp, František Kuchynka on double-bass, J. Frnkla on French horn, Jaroslav Kocián on violin, and multi-instrumentalist Alois Bohumil Hrabák.
At one point, Kryl was considered to have one of the best private art collections in the United States. Kryl donated 16 paintings to St. Joseph's College.

Compositions

As soloist

LabelCatalog #TitleFormatYearNotes
Columbia1091Alice Where Art Thou7-inch 78rpm–duet with Leroy Haines on trombone. take 1 issued
Columbia1091Alice Where Art Thou10-inch 78rpm–duet with Leroy Haines on trombone. takes 1 and 5 issued Also appeared on Oxford 1091.
Columbia32031Alice Where Art Thou2-minute wax cylinder1903duet with Leroy Haines on trombone
Zonophone5226Alice Where Art Thou7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903duet with Leroy Haines on trombone
Edison50613Aloha Oe10-inch vertical-cut 78rpm~1919Great 78 Project entry
Edison80523Ambassador polka10-inch vertical-cut 78rpm~1917
Edison3833The Ambassador polka4-minute celluloid cylinder1919
Edison8254Answer2-minute wax cylinder1902
Zonophone5218Answer7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Columbia31324Arbucklenian Polka2-minute wax cylinder1901
Edison8327Arbucklenian Polka2-minute wax cylinder1902
Edison822At the Mill4-minute wax cylinder1911Re-issued on Blue Amberol 1995
Zonophone5219Be My Own7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Edison3547Ben Bolt4-minute celluloid cylinder1918
Columbia32021Birds of the Forest2-minute wax cylinder1903
Columbia32124Birds of the Forest2-minute wax cylinder1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone.
Columbia1189Birds of the Forest10-inch 78rpm~February 1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone. also appears on Columbia A221
Edison8253Carnival of Venice2-minute wax cylinder1902
Victor2598Carnival of Venice10-inch 78rpm1903euphonium solo
Columbia32123Carnival of Venice2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Benedict
Columbia1188Carnival of Venice10-inch 78rpm~February 1903also appears on Columbia A213
Zonophone5220Carnival of Venice7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Victor35298Carnival of Venice12-inch 78rpmMay 17, 1911with Kryl's Bohemian Band. take 3 issued
Edison80718Carnival of Venice: Variations10-inch vertical-cut 78rpm–
Pathé29216Carnival of Venice11.5-inch vertical-cut 78rpm~1918
Edison8609Cary waltz2-minute wax cylinder1903
Zonophone5769Cary waltz7 and/or 9 inch 78rpm~1903
Edison80412Cleopatra Polka10-inch vertical-cut 78rpm~1917
Edison8307Columbia2-minute wax cylinder1903
Zonophone5616AColumbia, Fantasia Polka10-inch 78rpm–Also released on Oxford 5616A
Columbia1081Columbia Polka10-inch 78rpm~1903also appears on Columbia A226 and Marconi 167
Zonophone5221Columbian Fantasie7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Victor63578BDěvčátko darovalo mi prstýnek10" 78rpmMay 16, 1911ethnic series. with Kryl's Bohemian Band. take 2 issued
Zonophone5221Down Deep Within the Cellar7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Columbia32130Du, Du with Variations2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Levy
Columbia1204Du Du with Variations7-inch 78rpm-
Victor2595Du, Du10-inch 78rpm1903euphonium solo
Zonophone613Du, Du, with variations10-inch 78rpm~1906
U.S. Everlasting1305Du, Du2-minute celluloid cylinder1909
Columbia32029Facilita2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Hartmann
Columbia1089Facilita7-inch 78rpm–take 3 issued
Columbia31326Fantaisie, from "Fra Diavolo"2-minute cylinder1901Composer: Auber
Zonophone638Gobble Duet from "The Mascot"10-inch 78rpm–duet with Jaroslav Cimero, trombone. Also released on Oxford 5346B
Victor35195Grand trio 12" 78rpmMay 16, 1911take 1 issued. Also on Victor 68316
Zonophone5227Il Trovatore: Miserere7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Columbia1094Il Trovatore: Miserere10-inch 78rpm~Nov. 1902duet with Leroy Haines, also appears on Columbia A187, Oxford 1094 and Silvertone 1094
Columbia32034Il Trovatore: Miserere2-minute cylinder1903
Edison8308Inflamatus from Stabat Mater2-minute wax cylinder1903
Columbia1090Im Reize Von 16 Jahren7-inch 78rpm~Nov. 1902
Zonophone5223Inflamatus from Stabat Mater7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Pathé29216BIrish Fantasies medley11.5-inch vertical-cut 78rpm~1918
Pathé20381Killarney10-inch 78rpm–
Victor2596King Carnival10-inch 78rpm1903on euphonium
Edison8663King Carnival polka2-minute wax cylinder1903
Edison8745Kryl's favorite2-minute wax cylinder1904
Columbia1199Last Rose of Summer7-inch 78rpm-
Columbia1199Last Rose of Summer10-inch 78rpm–also issued on Columbia A187, Oxford 1199, and Aretino D621
Edison9860Lvi silon4-minute celluloid cylinder1913Bohemian series
Zonophone5616BMiserere10-inch 78rpm–
Columbia31327My Lodging Is on the Cold Ground2-minute cylinder1901Title originally released by W. S. Mygrants
Columbia31325My Pretty Jane2-minute cylinder1901Composers: Fitzball - Bishop. Title originally released by W. S. Mygrants
Edison9861Na prej4-minute celluloid cylinder1913Bohemian series
Edison8482National fantasia2-minute wax cylinder1903
Edison9005O Promise Me2-minute wax cylinder1905
Zonophone89Oh, How Delightful10-inch 78rpm~1905Also released on Oxford 89
Columbia31313One I Love, Two I Love2-minute cylinder1901
Edison9812Orly Polskie4-minute wax cylinder–Bohemian series, Re-issued on Blue Amberol 9862
Zonophone5228The Palms7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Edison9807Pode mlejnem4-minute wax cylinder–Bohemian series, Re-issued on Blue Amberol 9857
Edison9813Povidky s. Vidensky lesu4-minute wax cylinder–Bohemian series, Re-issued on Blue Amberol 9863
Edison790Praise Ye4-minute wax cylinder–Re-issued on Blue Amberol 2054
Berliner03451Robin Adair7-inch 78rpmMarch 1899
Victor35239Rigoletto quartet12-inch 78rpmMay 18, 1911"Brass Quartet." take 1 issued. Also on Victor 68346
Edison8208Russian fantasia2-minute wax cylinder1902
Columbia32023Russian Fantasia2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Portnoff
Zonophone5225Russian Fantasie7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903
Victor2597Serenade Pierne10-inch 78rpm1903euphonium solo
Columbia32120Short and Sweet Polka2-minute cylinder–duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Columbia1185Short and Sweet Polka10-inch 78rpm–duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Zonophone90Short and Sweet Polka10-inch 78rpm~1905duet with Leroy Haines, trombone. Also released on Zonophone 5346A
Edison8418Sing, Smile, Slumber2-minute wax cylinder1903
Zonophone111Sing, Smile, Slumber10-inch 78rpm~1905Also released on Oxford 111
Victor68338Sweet Is the Dream12-inch 78rpmMay 17, 1911with Jaroslav Cimera, trombone. Ethnic series. take 2 issued
Columbia32030Sweet Sixteen Waltz2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Aronson
Edison8811Sweet Sixteen waltz2-minute wax cylinder1904
ZonophoneP-5842Sweet Sixteen7-inch 78rpm-
Columbia32032Theresa Polka2-minute cylinder1903Composer: Waldron
Columbia32035Tyroleans, The2-minute cylinder1903Composer: J. F. Frøhlich
Zonophone5229Tyroleans7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Columbia32033Utility polka2-minute wax cylinder1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Zonophone5230Utility polka7 and/or 9-inch 78rpm~1903duet with Leroy Haines, trombone
Edison80578Where the River Shannon Flows10-inch vertical-cut 78rpm–
Pathé20381Where the River Shannon Flows10-inch 78rpm–
Edison9808Zeleny hajove4-minute wax cylinder–Bohemian series, Re-issued on Blue Amberol 9858

As leader

LabelCatalog #TitleFormatYearNotes
Victor68338Bartered bride: Selection 12-inch 78rpmMay 18, 1911
Victor68335Bartered bride : Sextette12-inch 78rpmMay 16, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 2-070003.
Victor16891Dance of the Wood Nymphs10-inch 78rpmMay 16, 1911take 1 issued. Also on Victor 63472.
Victor35195Grand trio 12-inch 78rpmMay 16, 1911"Brass trio with band" take 1 issued. Also on Victor 68316.
Victor63578AKukčka valčik 10-inch 78rpmMay 19, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued.
Victor63645Láska a život ve Vidni10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70013.
Victor68335Libušse overture12-inch 78rpmMay 19, 1911ethnic series. take 1 issued. Also on Gramophone 2-070004.
Victor63303BLvi silou pochod10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 1 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70001.
Victor35298Marche fantastique12-inch 78rpmMay 19, 1911take 1 issued. Also on Gramophone 0427.
Victor35258Marche Indienne12-inch 78rpmMay 18, 1911take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 0387.
Victor63782BNa prej10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70008.
Victor63302ANárodin kalop10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 1 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70011.
Victor68296Pepe polka12-inch 78rpmMay 16, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 2-070001.
Victor63303APode m'lejnem pochod10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70010.
Victor63302BProdná nevěsta : March10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-7009*.
Victor31832Sakuntala overture 12-inch 78rpmMay 16, 1911take 2 issued.
Victor68296Směs čes kých písní12-inch 78rpmMay 17, 1911ethnic series. take 1 issued.
Victor63645Sokol's triumphal march10-inch 78rpmMay 15, 1911ethnic series. take 2 issued. Also on Gramophone 7-70006.
Victor63782AZelený hájové march10-inch 78rpmMay 17, 1911ethnic series. take 1 issued.