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Alfred Baldwin Sloane

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Alfred Baldwin Sloane, published in 1906.

Alfred Baldwin Sloane, often given as A. Baldwin Sloane, (28 August 1872, Baltimore – 21 February 1925, Red Bank, New Jersey) was the most prolific songwriter for Broadway musical comedies in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.[1][2] Despite his output and success during his lifetime, none of his music has had enduring popularity.[1] Two of his most popular songs were "When You Ain't Got No Money You Needn't Come Around" and "Coming Through the Rye".[3] His most successful hit tune was “Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl" which was first performed by Marie Dressler in the 1910 show Tillie's Nightmare.[1]

Early Life in Baltimore

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Alfred Baldwin Sloane was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 28, 1872.[4] He was the son of Francis James Sloane and Emma Sloane (née Baldwin);[5] both of whom came from families with musical heritage.[6] His first music lessons were from his mother,[7] and he also studied privately with music teachers in his native city.[8] Despite the strong music background of his parents, they strongly objected to him pursuing a career in music.[6]

Sloane was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System.[9] His parents wished him to pursue a career in business,[10] and in his youth he worked in his native city as an apprentice at a wholesale dry goods dealer. He lost his job there after spending most of his time at work surreptitiously composing music on boxes and other miscellaneous items.[6] He also worked nights as an usher at the Academy of Music,[7] and spent some time as the secretary for a company managing a Baltimore cemetery.[6][10]

Sloane's interest in lyric theatre led him to take a leading role in the founding of an amateur dramatic group in Baltimore, the Paint and Powder Club (PPC).[11][12] The club originally began in 1892 at the Maryland Banjo and Mandolin Club with Sloane, Harry Price, Rowland West, and Reece Cassard as its founding members. The club expanded its scope and was transformed into the PPC not long after.[7] Sloane's first songs were written for amateur productions in Baltimore with this group.[8] His first score was written the PPC's production Mustapha;[12] an opera for which Sloane wrote both the music and libretto.[7] It was given its premiere in February 1894 at Ford's Grand Opera House with Sloane himself portraying the title role of the Turkish sultan.[13][14]

One of Sloane's first songs, "While Strolling Through the Forrest", was published in 1894.[9] In 1895 he ended his connection with the PPC, and founded another amateur Baltimore performing group, the Rouge et Blanc Club.[7] He wrote his second stage work for this group, the burlesque Midas, which was given its premiere at Albaugh's Lyceum Theatre on 5 February 1895 with Sloane once again portraying the title role.[15][12] His brother, Francis James Sloane Jr., was also in the cast in the role of Antinous.[15]

New York composer

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A. Baldwin Sloane and Robert Barnet during rehearsals of Jack and the Beanstalk in 1896.

Sloane moved to New York City not long after the premiere of Midas in Baltimore in 1895.[7] The theatre impresario Edward E. Rice caught a performance of the work while in Baltimore with a touring show he was producing, Robert Barnet's 1492.[12] Impressed by what he heard,[12] he met with Sloane and bought the rights to Midas from him.[16] A number of his songs form this work were interpolated into Rice's next musical Excelsior, Jr..[12] These included the songs "The Alpine Horn", "Grandpa's Hat", "Hush, Silence", "I Love You Evaline; I'm a Very Fly Conductor", and "My Little Sunday Girl" among others.[17]

The success of Excelsior, Jr., first in Boston and later on Broadway, launched Sloane's career in the New York theatre scene.[12] His first original score for the Broadway stage was in 1896 with the musical Jack and the Beanstalk;[8] a work which featured several well known fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters.[18] It too used lyrics by Barnet and was mounted at the Casino Theatre by producers Klaw and Erlanger.,[12]

In New York, Sloane quickly adapted his compositional style to what was then the current trend of the Tin Pan Alley publishing houses; a shift which enabled him to be gainfully employed by having his songs interpolated into shows both on the musical stage and in vaudeville.[11] These included several songs by Sloane incorporated into the musical Papa's Wife (1899) which starred Anna Held.[12] His first big hit was the 1898 song "When You Ain't Got No Money, (Well You Needn't Come Round)" which was popularized on the stage by May Irwin.[9] His biggest success as a songwriter was the tune "Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl," which Marie Dressler introduced in Tillie's Nightmare (1910), but none of his songs found enduring popularity.[8]

In 1900 he married Mae Auwerda.[19] His most successful work as a composer in terms of quality was The Mocking Bird (1902).[8]

After 1912, Sloane's composition output declined as he embarked on a second successful career as an exhibition dancer.[12] He did provide much of the music for the 1919 and 1920 Greenwich Village Follies. He wrote one of his musicals, Lady Teazle, for Lillian Russell when she was at the height of her national popularity. His last score, for the 1925 Broadway production China Rose, was in production at the time of his death. China Rose had been produced in Boston, by Christmas Eve, 1924.[20]

While in the home of his daughter, Mrs. June H. Brackett, Alfred Baldwin Sloane died of heart disease at the age of 52 in Red Bank, New Jersey on 21 February 1925.[21][22]

At the time of his death, Sloane was the president of Composers' Publishing Company and vice president of Authors and Composers Publishing Company.[7]

He was a member of The Lambs, the Green Room Club, and Old Strollers.

Musicals and operettas with scores by Sloane

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Still from "The Gingerbread Man" 1909 production, Seattle, WA
0–9
Work Type Year Premiere Music Libretto/Book/Lyrics Notes Reference
Mustapha operetta in two acts 1894 Baltimore: Ford's Grand Opera House, February 5, 1894 Sloane Libretto by Sloane Performed by the Pain and Powder Club [12][23]
Midas operatic burlesque in three acts 1895 Baltimore: Albaugh's Lyceum Theatre, February 5, 1895 Sloane Libretto by Sloane Performed by the Rouge et Blanc Club. Toured by them to the National Theatre, Washington, D.C.. [15][12][24]
The Strange Adventures of Jack and the Beanstalk
(also known as Jack and the Beanstalk) 		"fairy extravaganza in three acts" 1896 Broadway: Casino Theatre, November 2, 1896 Sloane Libretto by Robert Barnet [12][25][26]

New York productions

Chicago

Boston

Atlantic City

  • Li'l Mose, music by Sloane; lyrics and book by Owen Davis and George Totten Smith; April 20, 1908[81]

Milwaukee

Musicals and operettas with interpolated music by Sloane

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  • Excelsior, Jr., musical; music by George Lowell Tracy; libretto by Robert Barnet;[17] opened at Hammerstein's Olympia on November 29, 1895.[12] Multiple songs and instrumental numbers interpolated into the show by Sloane.[17]
  • Stranger in New York (1897), musical; music by Richard Stahl; book and lyrics by Charles H. Hoyt. Used the two songs by Sloane: "Won't You Speak to Sister Mary?" and "Walker's Dancing School"[83]
  • Papa's Wife (1899)[12]
  • A Chinese Honeymoon (1901), musical in two acts; libretto by George Dance; music by Howard Talbot. Sloane's song "Little Street in Heaven They Call Broadway" was interpolated into the 1902 Broadway production.[84]
  • The Liberty Belles (1901), musical; music by John W. Bratton; lyrics and book by Harry B. Smith.[85] Sloane contributed the songs "A Little Child Like Me", "My Filipino Pet", "Spring Hat" and "Shopping Chorus".[86]
  • The Little Duchess, additional music by Sloane, October 14, 1901 – April 1902[87]
  • George W. Lederer's Mid-Summer Night Fancies, additional music Sloane, June 22, 1903 – July 18, 1903[88]
  • Red Feather (1903), comic opera in two acts; music by Reginald De Koven, libretto by Charles Klein; lyrics by Charles Emerson Cook.[89] Sloane contributed the song "There's A Little Street in Heaven They Call Broadway"[90]
  • The Girl from Dixie (1903), musical in two acts; libretto by Harry B. Smith;[91] music by various composer. Sloane composed the music for the song "The Dissipated Kitten".[92]
  • Girls Will Be Girls (1904), musical in three acts; music and lyrics by Joseph Hart; book by R. Melville Baker. Sloane contributed the song "Swinging" to the national touring production in 1906.[93]
  • The Rollicking Girl (1905), musical in three acts; music by William T. Francis; lyrics and book by Sydney Rosenfeld. Sloane contributed the song "Bored" with lyrics by Frederick Ranken.[94]
  • About Town (1906), musical in two acts; music by Melville Ellis and Raymond Hubbell; book and lyrics by Joseph Herbert.[95] The opening chorus added to the production in Boston in 1907 after its Broadway run ended is attributed to Sloane.[96]
  • Fascinating Flora (1907), musical in two acts; music by Gustav Kerker; lyrics by: R. H. Burnside; book by R. H. Burnside and Joseph W. Herbert.[97] Sloane's song "Romance and Reality" with lyrics by Louis Harrison was interpolated into the musical.[98]
  • The Beauty Spot (1909), musical in two acts; music by Reginald De Koven; book and lyrics by Joseph W. Herbert. Sloane wrote the music for the "Entrance of the Flower Girls", and his song "Foolish Questions" with lyrics by William Lee was interpolated into the show.[99]
  • Hello, Paris (1911), musical revue in one act; music by J. Rosamond Johnson; lyrics by J. Leubrie Hill; book by William Le Baron.[100] Sloane contributed the song "Sentimental Tommy" with lyrics by E. Ray Goetz.[101]
  • All Star Gambol (1913), revue starring Marie Dressler with Dressler serving as playwright and lyricist and Frederick Schwartz as her musical director. Dressler used pre-existing songs for this show by a variety of composers. Sloane's song "Great Big Girl Like Me" with lyrics by Edgar Smith was interpolated into the show.[80]
  • A Fantastic Fricassee (1922), musical revue in fifteen scenes; Prologue attributed to Sloane.[102]
  • Sing Out, Sweet Land (1944), A Salute to American Folk and Popular Music; music arranged by Elie Siegmaster. Used Sloane's "Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl".[103]

Filmography

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Soundtrack

  • 1952: Somebody Loves Me, Toddling the Todalo lyrics by Sloane
  • 1940: Strike Up the Band, Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl, music & lyrics by Sloane (uncredited)
  • 1939: Frontier Marshal Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl, music & lyrics by Sloan (uncredited)

Writer

Self

Selected sheet music

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William Pilling, New York (publisher)

M. Witmark & Sons

  • Susie, Mah Sue, music & lyrics by Sloane (lyricist) (1900) – from the musical Broadway to Tokio
  • Lazy Bill, A Volunteer Of Rest, music by Sloane, lyrics by Glen MacDonough (1897) - from the musical The Marquis of Michigan

Joseph W. Stern & Co., New York

  • There's a Little Street in Heaven That They Call Broadway, lyrics by James T. Waldron & Sloane, music by Sloane (1903) OCLC 26005231

Charles K. Harris, Chicago

The Gingerbread Man (musical)
Book & lyrics by Frederic Ranken, music by Sloane (1905)

Family

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He married Lucille Mae Auwerda in Manhattan on February 15, 1900. They had one daughter – June Augusta Sloane (1901–1984) – who married Isaac Hosford Brackett (1901–1976).

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Bordman & Hischak 2004, p. 577.
  2. ^ Hischak 2015, p. 570.
  3. ^ "A. Baldwin Sloane, Musical Comedy Composer, Dies". The Atlanta Constitution. February 22, 1925. p. 16A.
  4. ^ "Sloane, Alfred Baldwin". Who Was Who in the Theatre: 1912–1976 – A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Directors, Playwrights, and Producers of the English-Speaking Theatre. Vol. IV. Detroit: Gale Research. 1978. pp. 2206–2207.
  5. ^ Knox 1918, p. 986.
  6. ^ a b c d Austin & Browne 1906, p. 204.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "A. Baldwin Sloane". Musical America. 41 (19): 47. February 28, 1925.
  8. ^ a b c d e Gerald Bordman (2002). "Sloane, A(lfred) Baldwin". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.47018.
  9. ^ a b c Ewen 1962, p. 156.
  10. ^ a b Briscoe 1907, p. 192.
  11. ^ a b Bordman & Norton 2010, p. 172.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Gänzl 2001, p. 1878.
  13. ^ "Paint and Powder Club: The First Performance of a New Organization". The Baltimore Sun. February 6, 1894. p. 8.
  14. ^ "The History of the Paint and Powder Company". The Paint and Powder Club of Baltimore City: 11. April 20, 1908.
  15. ^ a b c "Midas, A Burlesque". The Baltimore Sun. February 6, 1895. p. 8.
  16. ^ "Maryland Affairs". The Democratic Advocate. January 12, 1895. p. 2.
  17. ^ a b c Bloom 1996, p. 299.
  18. ^ Bordman & Hischak 2004, p. 571.
  19. ^ "A. Baldwin Sloane". Variety. LXXVIII (2): 35. February 25, 1925.
  20. ^ "Christmas Eve". Boston Herald. December 23, 1924. p. 6.
  21. ^ Spillane, J.B., ed. (March 15, 1925). "Alfred Baldwin Sloane, Noted Composer, Dies". The Talking Machine World. XXI (3): 181.
  22. ^ "Rusty Lyre Muted, Alfred Sloane Dies". Dallas Morning News. February 23, 1925. p. 1A.
  23. ^ "Paint and Powder Club: The First Performance of a New Organization". The Baltimore Sun. February 6, 1894. p. 8.
  24. ^ "Amusements". Washington Evening Star. February 19, 1895. p. 12.
  25. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 554.
  26. ^ "The Strange Adventures of Jack and the Beanstalk; 1898 program". Library of Congress. 1898. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 5.
  28. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 9.
  29. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 731.
  30. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 30.
  31. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 789.
  32. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 39.
  33. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 682.
  34. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 47.
  35. ^ a b c Gänzl 2001, p. 1879.
  36. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 7.
  37. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 48.
  38. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 593.
  39. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 64-66.
  40. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 86.
  41. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 439.
  42. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 93.
  43. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 99.
  44. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 743.
  45. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 129.
  46. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 143.
  47. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 995.
  48. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 205.
  49. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 208.
  50. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 614.
  51. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 266.
  52. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 331-332.
  53. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 338.
  54. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 991.
  55. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 361.
  56. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 732.
  57. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 404.
  58. ^ Bloom 1996, pp. 911–912.
  59. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 6.
  60. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 20.
  61. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 1081.
  62. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 24.
  63. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 469.
  64. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 62.
  65. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 104.
  66. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 491.
  67. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 138.
  68. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 442.
  69. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 162.
  70. ^ a b Bloom 1996, p. 960.
  71. ^ a b Dietz 2021, p. 188.
  72. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 1082.
  73. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 191.
  74. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 607.
  75. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 451.
  76. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 425.
  77. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 426.
  78. ^ Dietz 2019, p. 244.
  79. ^ Dietz 2019, p. 346.
  80. ^ a b Bloom 1996, p. 19.
  81. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 635.
  82. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 654.
  83. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 1070.
  84. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 186.
  85. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 78.
  86. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 630.
  87. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 82.
  88. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 166-167.
  89. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 190-191.
  90. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 936.
  91. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 198.
  92. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 385.
  93. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 396.
  94. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 959.
  95. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 371.
  96. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 3.
  97. ^ Dietz 2022, p. 420.
  98. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 308.
  99. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 84.
  100. ^ Dietz 2021, p. 92.
  101. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 466.
  102. ^ Bloom 1996, pp. 307–308.
  103. ^ Bloom 1996, p. 1025.

Bibliography

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