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Dinah/Lullaby of the Leaves

Roger Wolfe Kahn's Orchestra

Roger Wolfe Kahn

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Conductor and future military test pilot Roger Wolfe Kahn is seen in this 1932 soundie clip directing his Orchestra which includes Charlie Teagarden and Mannie Klein trumpets, Artie Shaw clarinet, Ward Lay string bass, and Chauncey Morehouse drums.

Beginning this musical film excerpt the Kahn Orchestra perform a rendition of "Dinah" featuring a female dancer who is obviously double jointed. Drum roll please, Roger takes off in his private plane showing off his aviation skills complete with acrobatics. Before making an aerial escape he signals the band from the air high above his yacht to play "Lullaby of the Leaves", a most appropriate selection.

Popular New York multi-instrumentalist, composer, and dance bandleader Roger Wolfe Kahn born in
Morristown, New Jersey in 1907 was the son of wealthy German Jewish banker Otto Hermann Kahn.

Beginning at age seven young Roger studied violin and proved himself to be something of a virtuoso
by further mastering about seventeen other instruments.

He followed his musical passion by assembling his own orchestra containing many prominent jazz
musicians of the day, performing popular songs in addition to compositions of his own.

Roger Wolfe Kahn's band had a long and prosperous run as one of the primer white dance assemblies
on the New York scene beginning in 1925 with a residency at the Biltmore Hotel.

In 1934 after his father's death Roger Kahn left the entertainment industry in favor of pursuing a career
in aviation beginning as a military test pilot.