MMD > Archives > March 2008 > 2008.03.16 > 02Prev  Next


Piano Roll Artist Viola Barton
By Robert Perry

Piano roll artist still alive at 106?

Hi all,  I found an interesting article on the web site of the Los
Angeles Daily News, dated 13th March 2008:

  Viola Barton, now residing at the Elms Convalescent Hospital in
  Glendale, turned 106 Tuesday.  She got married on Valentine's Day,
  played piano at silent movies, and still plays for other residents
  on their birthdays and special events.

A Viola Barton is credited as the artist on a number of great piano
rolls on the Globe/Supreme/Acme labels out of Newark in the early
1920s.  Is it possible this is the same Viola Barton, which would
surely make her the last living roll artist of the Golden Era?

Is anyone a little closer than me to Glendale, California, able to
follow up?

Regards,
Robert Perry
Auckland, New Zealand


(Message sent Sun 16 Mar 2008, 06:43:01 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Artist, Barton, Piano, Roll, Viola
Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation
No PayPal account required
SSL Certificate
by
Let's Encrypt