This is my working list of musicians I have identified who were members of, or associated with, the Progressive Musical Benevolent Society, a klezmer mutual aid society in New York founded in around 1913. I made an earlier post here, laying out some of what came up while researching this Society over the past months. But this post is simply a list of musicians. My intention is partly to give an impression of the membership, partly in case someone is googling their grandfather and has something to tell me, and partly to help klezmer researchers.
Names with asterisks weren’t buried in the P.M.B.S. plots as far as I can tell; they were mentioned in documents or inscribed on the cemetery gates but buried somewhere else. They range from people who were probably never members, like Israel Evenchick, to people who definitely were but ended up being buried somewhere else, like Chi Epstein.
Birth dates are generally approximate, birth places I have added to the level of specificity indicated on US government documents I found.
Abraham Adler, clarinetist, 1885–1940. Born in Russia.
Joseph Agranat, viola, 1883–1960.* Born in Odessa.
Isidore Altman, violinist, 1888–1941. Born in Russia.
Max L. Arons, drummer, lawyer and A.F.M. local 802 president, 1904–1984. Born in Russia.
Bernard Ascher, drummer, 1902–1990. Born in New York City.
Jack Axelrod, cornetist/trumpeter, 1895–1958. Born in Zolochiv, Galicia, Austria-Hungary.
Harry Louis Babel, drummer, 1899–1973. Born in New York City.
Irving Babel, pianist and composer, 1894–1976. Born in New York City.
Max Babel (Mac Baker), cornetist/trumpeter, 1904–1996. Born in New York City.
Morris Babel, pianist, 1877–1947. Born in Austria–Hungary.
Alexander M. Bass, pianist, 1896–1975. Born in Kyiv.
Samuel “Shlumke” Beckerman, clarinetist, saxophonist and recording artist, 1884–1974. Born in Russia.
Samuel Benjamin, cornetist, 1898–1975. Born in New York City.
Max Bergunker, pianist and silent film score composer, 1885–1969. Born in Mykolaiv (not sure which one), Russia.
Julius Berkin, cornetist and American music composer, 1899–1974. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Jacob Berkow, bassist, 1888–1939. Born in Russia.
Louis Berkow, violinist, 1907–1925. Born in the United States.
Joseph Biederman, cornetist, 1881–1931. Born in Dubienka, Lublin Gub., Russia.
Jacob Biener, flautist, 1861–1926. Born in Austria–Hungary.
Manny Blanc, drummer and pianist, music store owner, visual artist, composer and publisher, 1914–1984. Born in New York City.
Morris Blank, trombonist, 1878–1942. Born in Poland.
Murray Blank, cornetist/trumpeter, music store owner, 1916–1992. Born in New York City.
Samuel “Shimele” Blank, violinist, cornetist/trumpeter and music store owner, 1888–1970. Born in Poland.
Samuel Blank, cornetist, 1874–1953. Born in Russia.
Naftule Brandwein, clarinetist and celebrity bandleader, 1884–1963. Born in Peremyshlyany, Austria–Hungary.
Charles Braun, flautist and bassist, 1887–1947. Born in Austria–Hungary. Lived in Egypt.
Israel “Isidor” Brainin (Brinin), violinist, 1881–1946.* Born in Mogilev Gub., Russia.
Kalman Burstein, violinist, 1888–1945. Born in Pinsk.
Charles Chabinsky, cornetist/trumpeter, 1874–1931. Born in Russia.
Hyman Chartoff, pianist, 1894–1966. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Irving Cherlin, pianist, 1903–1968. Born in Lutsk, Volyhnian Gub., Russia.
Isidore Cherlin, cornetist/trumpeter, 1886–1925. Born in Lutsk, Volyhnian Gub., Russia.
Johann Cherlin, clarinetist, 1892–1968. Born in Lutsk, Volyhnian Gub., Russia.
Alex Chernoff, pianist and cantor, 1913–2012. Born in New York City.
Harry Cohen, violinist, 1881–1949. Born in Klyetsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Abraham Konstantinofsky (Constantine), cornetist/trumpter, 1891–1953. Born in Tarashcha, Kiev Gub., Russia.
William Corman, drummer, 1903–1977. Born in Yekaterinoslav, Yekaterinoslav Gub., Russia.
Morris Doduk, flautist, 1886–1935. Born in Odessa, lived in Istanbul.
Hirsch “Harry” Drucker, musician, 1860–1922. Born in Russia.
Moses “Morris” Drucker, musician, 1867–1943. Born in Russia.
Isidor Drutin, trombonist and klezmer composer, 1884–1954. Born in Starokonstantinov, Volhynian Gub., Russia.
Solomon Dzazga, cornetist/trumpeter, 1902–1997.* Born in Warsaw.
Chaim Ehrlich, musician, 1887–1929. Born in Russia.
Isidore “Chi” Epstein, saxophonist, 1913–1986.* Born in New York City, member of Epstein Brothers band.
Julius “Julie” Epstein, drummer, 1926–2015. Born in New York City, member of Epstein Brothers band.
Max Epstein, saxophonist, 1912–2000. Born in New York City, member of Epstein Brothers band.
William “Willie” Epstein, trumpeter, 1919–1999.* Born in New York City, member of Epstein Brothers band.
Israel Evenchick, music store owner and publisher, 1864–1925.* Born in Russia. Probably never a member, but donated to their cemetery arch in 1923.
William Feinberg, violinist and A.F.M. local 802 vice president, 1899–1987.* Born in New York City.
Samuel Feinbloom, musician, 1884–1945. Born in Russia.
Israel Feldman, trombonist, 1878–1927. Born in Odessa.
Benjamin Fidelman, bassist, 1878–1955. Born in Russia.
Irving Fidlon, violinist, 1902–1994. Born in Minsk Gub., Russia.
Elie “Alex” Fiedel, cornetist/trumpeter and recording artist, 1886–1957. Born in Bershad, Podolia Gub., Russia.
Frank Fiedel, violinist, 1898–1986. Born in Edineț, Bessarabia Gub., Russia.
Isaac Fiedel, clarinetist, 1857–1925. Born in Edineț, Bessarabia Gub., Russia.
Jacob “Jack” Fiedel, pianist and accordionist, 1908–1984. Born in Brooklyn.
Morris Fiedel, saxophonist, 1879–1952. Born in Russia. Testified as expert witness in Max Leibowitz lawsuit.
Simon “Simpson” Fiedel, musician, 1920–1998. Born in New York City.
Alexander Ulysses Fine, musician, 1879–1947. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia, lived in Bulgaria.
Louis Fishkin, saxophonist, 1897–1977. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Simon Fishkin, trombonist, 1894–1978. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Samuel Frankfort, cornetist and bandleader, 1870–1955.* Born in Khotyn, Bessarabia Gub., Russia.
Jacob Gershenson, saxophonist, 1908–1987. Born in Brooklyn.
Aaron Gerson, violinist, 1881–1950. Born in Bobruisk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Harry Glantz, trumpeter, 1896–1983. Born in Proskurov, Podolia Gub., Russia. Soloist in N.Y. Philharmonic and others.
Nathan Glantz, saxophonist, 1878–1937. Born in Russia.
Pincus Glantz, bassist, 1866–1939. Born in Russia.
Jacob Gold, violinist, 1887–1938. Born in Poland.
Samuel Goldbetter, cornetist/trumpeter, 1894–1938. Born in Manhattan.
Hyman Goldin, bassist, 1890–1970. Born in Russia.
Arnold Goldring, pianist, 1912–1999. Born in Brooklyn.
Jacob Goldring, trombonist, 1880–1938. Born in Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Sigmund Goldring, violinist, 1888–1947. Born in Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Alex Gordon, clarinetist, c.1890–1950. Born in Odessa, studied at Petrograd Conservatory.
Sam Greenberg, musician, 1888–1974. Born in Russia.
Gabriel Greenspan, trombone and sousaphone player, 1880–1948. Born in Soroca, Bessarabia Gub., Russia.
Jacob Grupp, trumpeter, 1893–1976. Born in Chudnov, Volhynia Gub., Russia.
Louis Grupp, violinist, 1888–1983. Born in Chudnov, Volhynia Gub., Russia. Interviewed in the 1970s by Henry Sapoznik.
Maurice Grupp, trombonist, 1891–1968. Born in Chudnov, Volhynia Gub., Russia.
David Gurewitz, drummer, 1908–1999. Born in New York City.
Isidore Gurewitz, drummer, 1877–1944. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
William Halmesco, cornetist/trumpeter, 1890–1952. Born in Port Said, Egypt.
Joseph Helfenbein, drummer, 1899–1989. Born in Odessa. Interviewed by Henry Sapoznik in the 1970s.
Samuel Heller, pianist and accordionist, 1899–1988.* Born in Manhattan.
Moses Henig, drummer, 1886–1954. Born in Rădăuți, Bucovina, Austria–Hungary.
Harry Hoffman, musician, 1912–1978. Born in Mobile, Alabama.
Harry Hoock, cornetist/trumpeter, 1866–1927. Born in Russia.
Harry I. Jenkins, cornetist/trumpeter, 1920–1980. Born in Montreal.
Morris Joffe, violinist, 1885–1956. Born in Bulgaria or Egypt.
Abraham Juskowitz, violinist, 1893–1947. Born in New York City.
Joseph Kahn, pianist, 1904–??. Born in New York City.
Nathan Kaplan, cornetist/trumpeter, 1891–1983. Born in Kyiv.
Nathan Kaplan, drummer, 1887–1947. Born in Odessa.
Harry Kassel, violinist, 1893–1926. Born in Russia.
Sol Klass, trumpeter and A.F.M. local 802 rep, 1905–1985.* Born in New York City.
Alexander “Al” Knopf, violinist and A.F.M. local 802 executive, 1907–1985. Born in New York City.
Joseph Knopf, saxophonist and clarinetist, 1908–1970. Born in New York City.
Jacob Koza, cornetist/trumpeter, 1892–1946. Born in Odessa.
Abraham Kracoff, trombonist, 1880–1953. Born in Russia.
Samuel Joseph Kullick, drummer, 1883–1946. Born in Russia.
Harry Aron Kushner, pianist, 1908–1978. Born in New York City.
David Levenglick, cornetist/trumpeter, 1870–1947. Born in Warsaw.
Aaron Levine, musician, 1875–1940. Born in Russia.
George Levine, musician, 1904–1974. Born in Russia.
Jack Levinsky (Levitt), violinist and trombonist, 1901–1974. Born in Kanev, Russia.
Louis Levinsky (Levinn), cornetist/trumpeter, 1916–1972. Born in Brooklyn.
Philip Levinsky (Levitt), cornetist/trumpeter, 1906–1993. Born in Russia.
Harry Levitan, bassist, 1881–1963. Born in Smolensk, Smolensk Gub., Russia.
Maurice A. Levitan, bassist, 1917–1936. Born in New York City.
Samuel Levitan, bassist, 1914–2003. Born in New York City.
Marty Levitt, clarinetist and recording artist, 1930–2008. Born in Brooklyn. Important teacher at KlezKamp during the revival era.
Charles Levitz, drummer, 1903–1993.* Born in New York City.
Hyman London, cornetist/trumpeter, 1879–1955. Born in Kyiv, Kiev Gub., Russia.
Abraham “Al” Lubert, violin, 1897–1960. Born in Manhattan.
Jacob Lustig, saxophonist, 1884–19??.* Born in Chelm, Lublin Gub., Russia.
Walter Jacob Lustig, tuba player, 1889–1933. Born in the United States.
Joseph Machnowetsky (Macnow), piano tuner, 1874–1920. Born in Russia.
Simon M. Markowitz (Mark), drummer, 1890–1969. Born in Pinsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
David Meadow, violinist, 1880–1949. Born in Chyhyryn, Kiev Gub., Russia.
Samuel Meisner, violinist, 1894–1981. Born in Odessa.
Abraham Melzak, drummer, 1871–1940. Born in Poland.
Harry Melzak, pianist, 1896–1932. Born in New York City.
Herman Miller, accordionist, 1898–1981. Born in Warsaw.
Hyman Millrad, bassist and composer, 1882–1971. Born in Mogilev, Mogilev Gub., Russia.
Nathan Model, trombonist, 1874–1950. Born in Orsha, Mogilev Gub., Russia.
Joseph Morgenstern, pianist, 1903–1935. Born in Russia. Born in Simferopol, Taurida Gub., Russia.
Morris Morgenstern, clarinetist and Freiheit Symphony leader, 1883–1971.
Benjamin Musicus, violinist, 1883–1962. Born in Russia.
David Berney Musicus, violinist, 1890–1976. Born in Augustów, Suwałki Gub., Russia.
Moses “Morris” Musicus, piano teacher, 1908–1991. Born in Manhattan.
Joseph Nimoy, cornetist/trumpeter, 1879–1936. Born in Izaslyav, Volhynian Gub., Russia.
Alter Nudelman (Nadelman), cornetist/trumpeter, 1868–1958. Born in Russia.
Max Polakoff, cornetist/trumpeter, 1887–1970. Born in Pochep, Chernigov Gub., Russia.
Louis Prager, cornetist/trumpeter, 1888–1947. Born in Vilnius, Vilna Gub., Russia.
Harry Preisler, drummer, 1913–1986. Born in New York City.
Jacob Preisler, drummer, 1889–1987. Born in Bolechów, Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Moses “Moe” Preisler, cornetist/trumpeter, 1888–1961. Born in Bolechów, Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Sam Preisler, drummer, 1893–1974. Born in Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Harry Pressalsky, drummer, 1886–1974. Born in Zamość, Lublin Gub., Russia.
Morris Primer, violinist, 1880–1931. Born in Lublin, Lublin Gub., Russia.
Harry Raderman, drummer, 1897–1938. Born in Russia. Not the famous trombone player of the same name.
Abraham Rapfogel, violinist and composer, 1884–1956. Born in Galicia, Austria-Hungry. Close associate of Israel J. Hochman.
Benjamin Rapfogel, bassist, 1877–1960. Born in Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Eugene Radomylski (Rodo), flautist, 1877–1938. Born in Kyiv, Kiev Gub., Russia.
Irwin Reichel, violinist, 1911–1936. Born in the United States.
Nathan Reichel, trombonist, 1880–1953. Born in Kyiv, Kiev Gub., Russia.
George Reiser, pianist, 1905–1963. Born in Minsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Hyman “Henry” Reiser, violinist, 1880–1942. Born in Russia.
Charles Isaac Rosenberg, violinist, 1884–1929. Born in Chernivtsi, Bucovina, Austria-Hungary. Lived in Egypt.
Jacob Rosenberg, drummer, president of local 802, 1896–1946. Born in Monasterzyska, Galicia, Austria-Hungary.
Moses “Morris” Rosenberg, violinist, 1874–1937. Born in Austria-Hungary.
Sigmund Rosenberg, bassist, 1891–1928. Born in Chernivtsi, Bucovina, Austria-Hungary. Lived in Egypt.
Harry Rosenthal, pianist, 1887–1953. Born in Konin, Kalisz Gub., Russia.
Jacob Roth, musical director, 1892–1984. Born in New York City.
Harry Rothfarb, violinist, 1892–19??.* Born in Romanov, Volhynian Gub., Russia.
Morris Rothfarb, cornetist/trumpeter, 1881–1927. Born in Romanov, Volhynian Gub., Russia.
David Rozanel, trombonist, 1881–1937. Born in Russia.
William Rubin, cornetist/trumpeter, founder of P.M.B.S.?, 1878–1925. Born in Russia.
Philip Satz, drummer, 1908–1974. Born in Niemirów, Galicia, Austria-Hungary.
Leo Schefflein, musician, 1916–1971. Born in New York City.
Benjamin Schuster, cornetist/trumpter, 1881–1947.*
Joseph Schwartzer, tuba player, 1899–1947. Born in Russia.
David Shapiro, trombonist, 1892–1937. Born in Russia.
Joseph Shapiro, trombonist, 1890–1941. Born in Russia.
Kalman Shapiro, clarinetist, 1888–1971. Born in Kyiv.
Leo Shapiro, trombonist, 1888–19??. Born in Bobruisk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Morris Sherman, drummer, 1889–1976. Born in Russia.
David Siegel, cornetist, 1887–19??. Born in Russia.
Jacob Sohn, clarinetist, 1874–1949. Born in Russia.
Jacob Sokoloff, violinist and bandleader, 1862–1932. Born in Chyhyryn, Kiev Gub., Russia.
Samuel Soodak, violinist, 1884–1966.* Born in Russia.
Louis Sosonkin, violinist, 1876–1932. Born in Mogilev, Mogilev Gub., Russia.
Saul Spiegel, violinist, 1885–1968. Born in Odessa.
Henry A. Steiman, flautist, 1887–1941. Born in Odessa.
Jacob Stein, violinist, 1877–1943. Born in Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Harry Stitman, drummer, 1896–1976.* Born in Russia, played in NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Samuel Stromberg, clarinetist, 1883–1952. Born in Mogilev, Mogilev Gub., Russia.
Samuel Suber, drummer, 1890–1986. Born in Grodno, Grodno Gub., Russia.
Louis Tarnoff, pianist, 1910–1995. Born in Garutka, Russia.
Dave Tarras, clarinetist, saxophonist, and recording artist, 1897–1989.* Born in Ternivka, Podolia Gub., Russia. Seemingly not a member, but got gigs with them and played their banquets.
Israel Tauster, cornetist/trumpeter, 1866–1947.* Born in Austria–Hungary.
Selig Teiko, clarinetist, 1881–1954. Born in Odessa.
Louis Torgow, flautist, 1883–1973. Born in Starokonstantinov, Volhynian Gub., Russia.
Benjamin Tress, trombonist, 1873–1937. Born in Vilnius, Vilna Gub., Russia.
Isaac Tresser, violinist, 1878–1941. Born in Piotrkowice, Galicia, Austria-Hungry.
Alan Uber, pianist, 1901–1990. Born in the United States.
Benjamin Warshauer, pianist, 1887–1948. Born in Moscow.
Abraham Weinberg, drummer, 1893–1948. Born in Russia.
Louis Weissman, saxophonist and clarinetist, 1874–1925. Born in Podolia Gub., Russia.
Moses Winakor, cornetist/trumpeter, 1871–1940.* Born in Russia.
William Wohlman, drummer and A.F.M. and U.H.T. delegate, 1893–1964.* Born in Tyśmienica, Austria–Hungary.
Jack Yablokoff, cellist, final president of P.M.B.S.?, 1927–1998.* Born in Los Angeles.
Samuel Yablonsky, cornetist/trumpeter, 1883–1935. Born in Russia.
Aron Zerulnick, french horn player, 1883–19??. Born in Yelizavetgrad, Kherson Gub., Russia.
Harry Zimbal, cornetist/trumpeter, 1884–1941. Born in Slutsk, Minsk Gub., Russia.
Jacob Zimbler, drummer and A.F.M. local 802 clerk, 1891–1965. Born in Bucovina, Austria–Hungary.
Mathilda Zimbler, cellist, 1897–1990. Born in Przemyśl, Austria–Hungary.