Introduction
Adrian Schubert (November 14, 1883—December 23, 1957) was an Austrian-born American cellist, conductor, composer, and record producer. He was the musical director for Plaza Music Company, which distributed labels such as Banner, Conqueror, Regal, Oriole, Domino, and Perfect. The labels regularly worked with celebrated musicians of the time such as Nathan Glantz, Ben Selvin, Vincent Lopez, and Lou Gold.
Schubert made a large number of records between 1922 and 1933.
His work as a band director appeared under numerous pseudonyms, most notably Adrian Schubert's Salon Orchestra, Adrian Schubert's Dance Orchestra, and Al Alberts Orchestra. He occasionally also released titles as Joe Dubin's Dance Orchestra, The Dixie Jazz Band, Matty Crawford's Orchestra, Dubin's Dandies, Roy Carlson's Dance Orchestra, Buddy Bartlett's Orchestra, Ernie Noble & His Orchestra, the Red Dandies, Al Lynch & His Orchestra, the Pierrot Syncopators, and Ted White's Collegians.
Early life
Adrian Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria, on November 14, 1883, to Adolph Schubert of Austria and Henriette Hohl of Switzerland. When he was nine, his family emigrated to the United States, settling on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City. Adrian's mother died in November 1898 and the following year his father married Babette Keller, a Bavarian immigrant.
Adrian attended P.S. 96, then located at 81st Street and Avenue A in Manhattan. He learned to play violin from his father, an orchestra leader who played for the Vanderbilts and Astors and was very popular in the New York City music scene. Adrian won a scholarship to the National Conservatory of Music in New York, where he studied under Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, German cellist Leo Schulz, and Austrian conductor Emil Paur.
Career
In the early part of his career, Schubert performed as a cellist with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City. One of his early instrumental pieces was "Follies D'Amour" which he published in 1908. He also made recordings as a cellist before he was appointed General Musical Director of the Regal Record Company in 1922.
In 1918, he recorded "Hearts And Flowers" (written by Theodore Moses Tobani) and "Schubert's Serenade" for Okeh Records (1035). In May of that year, Schubert and Ernest Wagner, a flutist, recorded a cell and flute duet called "Titl's Serenade" (Okeh Records - 1031).
Schubert remained with the Metropolitan Opera Company until 1921. In 1922, he was appointed General Musical Director of the Regal Record Company and later served as Musical Director for General Motors Radio Programs.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Schubert organized hundreds of dance band recordings. In 1922, he recorded "Venetian Nights" on Banner Records (2037).
From 1925 to 1930, he was the Musical Director for Plaza Music Company, a sales and marketing agency that distributed several labels including Banner, Domino, and Regal, among others. In 1930, he became Musical Director for Crown Records.
In 1930, Adrian Schubert And His Orchestra released "The Kiss Waltz" (written by Al Dubin and Joe Burke) (Angelus Records - 3280) and "Loving You The Way I Do" (Crown Records - 3007). The latter was originally written by Eubie Blake, Jack Scholl, and Will Morrissey. The following year, he released "Lady Play Your Mandolin" (written by Irving Caesar and Oscar Levant) and "Just A Gigolo" (written by Irving Caesar and Leonello Casucci).
Beginning in the 1940s, Schubert conducted occasional free outdoor concerts in the New York City area, sponsored by the musicians union Local 802. He also frequently conducted large orchestras for the growing number of network radio programs, including the General Motors Family Party.
In 1950, Schubert was named conductor of the Suffolk Symphony. He also guest-conducted summer concerts of the Huntington Township band at Hecksher Park in Suffolk County, New York.
In his 60s and 70s, Schubert focused on conducting and arranging orchestral works and mentoring young musicians.
In his career, Schubert collaborated with several well-known musicians of the era, including trombonist Tommy Dorsey, saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey, trumpeter Mike Mosiello, clarinetist Benny Goodman, multi-instrumentalist bandleader Andy Sannella, vocalist Scrappy Lambert, and xylophonist and composer George Hamilton Green.
Video: Tell Me You Care (Adrian Schubert and His Salon Orchestra, 1930)
Death
Schubert never married and had no children. He died at his home on Bayview Lane in Huntington Bay, New York, on December 23, 1957, at age 74. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth, Queens, in a family plot with just the name Schubert inscribed on a granite sill marker.