Introduction
Jack Kaufman (February 16, 1883—February 27, 1948) was an American baritone vocalist and songwriter who was part of the vaudeville act "Kaufman Bros" with his brothers Phil Kaufman and Irving Kaufman.
He recorded under various alias—Al Johnston, Conrad Smith, Dick Holmes, Dooley, Happy Martin, Jack Dalton, Joe Wheeler, Nat Walters, and Walter Neff.
Early life
Jack Kaufman was born Jacob Abraham Kaufman in Syracuse, New York, on February 16, 1883, to Barnet A. Kaufman (1854–1932) and Lena Cohen. He had two brothers—Philippe Kaufman and Irving Kaufman (1890—1976), both musicians.
Career
Jack began his professional music career in the early 1900s with his brothers. In 1915, Jack and Irving recorded "Henry and Hank at the Levee" on Edison Records.
Shortly after, the three brothers—Jack, Phil, and Irving—formed a vaudeville act named "Kaufman Bros" and toured across the United States. In 1918, they made their first recordings on Decca Records ("Just Give a Week in Paris").
After Phil's in 1918, Jack and Irving Kaufman formed the duo "Jack and Irving Kaufman" and made several recordings on Columbia, Victor, Emerson, and Regal, among others. In 1919, they released "How Can You Say Goodbye", a Joe Darcey composition, and "Eyes That Say I Love You" (written by Fred Fisher). Over the following years, they were also accompanied by many other artists on their recordings, including Nathaniel Shilkret, Jack Shilkret, Arthur Hall, and Albert Campbell.
The same year, Jack worked with Ted Lewis Jazz Band, singing on the recording of "'O' (Oh!)", a song written by Arnold Johnson and Byron Gay.
In 1920, Jack provided vocal choruses to marimba player Harry Yerkes' band "The Happy Six" with members Phil Ohman (piano), George Hamilton Green (xylophone and composition), Alcide Nunez (clarinet), and Tom Brown (trombone).
In 1924, Jack, Irving, and Frank Williams wrote the lyrics for "Mickey Donohue". Composed by George B. McConnell and Frank Hughes, it was sung by Ed Smalle and Vernon Dalhart. (OKeh Records).
In 1925, he provided vocals on the recording of "Yes Sir! That's My Baby" and "Collegiate" for Ben Bernie Orchestra, accompanied by Sam Fink (drums); Oscar Levant (piano); Jack Pettis (saxophone); Donald Bryan (trumpet); and Irving Kaufman, Lester O'Keefe, and Moe Jaffe (vocals).
In 1927, Jack recorded "My Wife's in Europe Today" on Columbia Records with Ross Gorman's band Virginians, written by Coleman Goetz and composed by Sam H. Stept. Next year, he provided tenor vocals on "Lindy Lou", alongside baritone vocals by Al Bernard, accompanied by pianist Rube Bloom.
Jack also recorded with Carl Fenton's Orchestra (1925); Harry Reser, Tuxedo Orchestra (1925); Charles Harrison, Johnny Marvin (1926); Danville Dudes (1926); Jack Lynch (1927), and Jack Dalton (1929).
Personal life
Jack was married to Rosina Mabel Clarke (1882–1971), an English showgirl. They had seven children: Jules Aaron Kaufman (1910–2003), Eileen June Kaufman (1911–1986), Phyllis May Kaufman (1917–2004), Eveline April Kaufman (1917–2005), Phyllis Kaufman (1918-), Philip Robert Kaufman (1924–2003), and Sylvia Lena Kaufman (1924–2002).
Death
Jack died in Hempstead, New York, on February 27, 1948, at age 65. He is buried at New Montefiore Cemetery, West Babylon, Suffolk County, New York.