Paul Pendarvis (born Paul Plumley Pendarvis; 2 December 1907 Enid, Oklahoma – 13 January 1987 Palmdale, California) was an American violinist and big band leader popular in the swing era.
Career
Pendarvis was born in Enid, Oklahoma. After completing his junior year (11th grade) at Enid High School in 1924, he transferred to Santa Monica High School, graduating in 1925. He went on to attend the University of California, Los Angeles.
Pendarvis worked in business and had minor roles in silent films, then moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he assembled a dance band that quickly found success. Pendarvis's band received radio airplay in the Kansas City area and worked regionally as a territory band in Kansas and the Midwest, including bookings at the Congress Hotel in Chicago. He also booked engagements in New York, and later in the decade moved the band to Los Angeles, playing venues on the California coast.
Early in the 1940s he dissolved the group and took a position directing a radio station in California.
Recordings
Pendarvis recorded for Columbia Records from 1934 to 1935. His vocalists during this time included Patricia Norman, Eddie Scope, Jimmy Stewart and Marjorie Beatty. Later on, his vocalists included Marilyn Duke and Phyllis Lynne.
Discography
| Title | Recording Date | Vocalist | Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Little Angel Told Me So | November 9, 1934 | Eddie Scope | Columbia 2974-D | From 1934 film, One Hour Late. |
| I’ve Got an Invitation to a Dance | November 9, 1934 | Eddie Scope | Columbia 2974-D | |
| Mississippi Honeymoon | November 9, 1934 | Eddie Scope | Columbia 2973-D | From the Carole Lombard film The Gay Bride. This is Pendarvis’ only Columbia recording to feature a violin, during the bridge of Scope’s vocal. |
| The Object of My Affection | November 9, 1934 | Patricia Norman | Columbia 2973-D | |
| I’m in Love All Over Again | February 21, 1935 | Patricia Norman | Columbia 3032-D | From 1935 film, “Hooray for Love” |
| Soon | February 21, 1935 | Jimmy Stewart | Columbia 3025-D | From the 1935 film “Mississippi”. |
| It’s Easy to Remember | February 21, 1935 | Jimmy Stewart | Columbia 3025-D | From the 1935 film “Mississippi”. |
| Would There Be Love? | February 21, 1935 | Eddie Scope | Columbia 3032-D | |
| Thanks a Million | August 1935 | Marjorie Beatty | Columbia 3082-D | From 1935 film, “Thanks A Million” |
| Page Miss Glory | August 1935 | “Paul’s Playboys” | Columbia 3091-D | From Page Miss Glory (1935 film). “Paul’s Playboys” is a vocal trio including the voices of Eddie Scope, Jimmy Stewart and Marjorie Beatty. |
| Accent on Youth | August 1935 | Jimmy Stewart | Columbia 3091-D | |
| I’m Sittin’ High on a Hill Top | August 1935 | Eddie Scope | Columbia 3082-D | From 1935 film, “Thanks A Million” |
References
- "Paul Pendarvis". Colin Larkin, Encyclopedia of Popular Music. 4th edition, 2006.
- Leo Walker, The Big Band Almanac. Ward Ritchie Press, 1978, p. 340.
- ^ Abrams, Steve; Settlemier, Tyrone (December 21, 2012). "COLUMBIA 78rpm numerical listing discography: 2500-D to 3000-D". Online Discographical Project. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Abrams, Steve; Settlemier, Tyrone (December 21, 2012). "COLUMBIA 78rpm numerical listing discography: 3000D to end of series". Online Discographical Project. Retrieved February 21, 2024.