Lee S. Roberts (1884-1949)

Overview

Lee S. [Leland Stanford] Roberts was American pianist and composer/publisher of popular music born in San Francisco. His greatest success was Smiles (1917), lyrics by J. Will Callahan with whom he wrote a number of other songs, which sold over 3.000.000 copies. It is said that Smiles had been rejected by all the principal tin pan alley publishers. He wrote in a number of genres ranging from setting an Edgar Allan Poe poem to music namely To One In Paradise (1923) to various Hawaiian compositions such as Hawaiian Nights (1919). Today he is best known as a pianist who when vice-president of the QRS Music Roll Company recorded hundreds of piano rolls both using his own name as well as using the pseudonym Stanford Robar. He was billed as the world's leading expert in player rolls.

Websites:
	Lee S. Roberts	Biography by wikipedia.org.
	DAHR: Lee S. Roberts	List of 106 historic recordings from 1916 to 1947.

Cylinders

	Title (Release Year)	Composer	Performers	Issue


	Hawaiian Nights (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Frank Ferera Helen Louise	Edison Blue Amberol: 3656
	Smiles - Song (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Marie Rappold	Edison Royal Purple Amberol: 29020

MIDIs

	Title	Co-Author(s)	Sequencer


	Ching Chong (1917)		James Pitt-Payne
	Harriman Cake Walk (1915)		James Pitt-Payne
	High Ball (1912)		James Pitt-Payne
	Patches (1919)		James Pitt-Payne
	Smiles - Song (1917)		Unknown

Records

	Title (Release Year)	Composer	Performers	Issue


After All (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Reinald Werrenrath	Victor: B-22599
After All (1919)	L.S. Roberts	H. Burr	Columbia: 78290
After All (1916)	L.S. Roberts	Charles Harrison	Edison: 4741
All For You (1921)	L.S. Roberts	Happy Six	Columbia: 79792
Broken Moon (1921)	L.S. Roberts	N. Bayes	Columbia: 79779
Ching Chong (1917)	L.S. Roberts	Prince's Band	Columbia: 49212
Cleo (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Yerkes Jazarimba Orchestra	Columbia: 78599
Cleo (1919)	L.S. Roberts	All Star Trio	Edison: 6894
Drowsy Baby (1920)	L.S. Roberts	Elsie West Baker Olive Kline	Victor: B-24359
Grass Is Just As Green, The (1938)	L.S. Roberts	R. Blane	Victor: BS-022932
Hawaiian Nights (1920)	L.S. Roberts	Frank Ferera Anthony J. Franchini	Victor: B-24578
Hawaiian Nights (1918)	L.S. Roberts	Frank Ferera Helen Louise	Columbia: 77940
Hawaiian Nights (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Kalaluki Hawaiian Orchestra	Columbia: 78444
Hawaiian Nights (1917)	L.S. Roberts	Prince's Orchestra	Columbia: 49177
Little Birch Canoe and You, A (1918)	L.S. Roberts	Elsie West Baker Wilfred Glenn Olive Kline Harry MacDonough Lambert Murphy Reinald Werrenrath	Victor: B-22263
Little Birch Canoe and You, A (1918)	L.S. Roberts	H. Burr Albert Campbell John H. Meyer	Columbia: 78051
⇑Little Birch Canoe and You, A (1918)	L.S. Roberts	Manuel Romain	Edison: 6414
Lonesome - That's All (1919)	L.S. Roberts	George Wilton Ballard	Edison: 6759
Lonesome - That's All (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Margaret Romaine	Columbia: 78609
Lonesome - That's All (1938)	L.S. Roberts	R. Vallée	Victor: BS-022438
Lover's Lane (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-284
Mammy's Lullaby (1919)	L.S. Roberts	George Wilton Ballard Charles Hart S. Porter Mr. Thomas	Edison: 6611
Mammy's Lullaby (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Happy Six	Columbia: 78381
Oh Harold (1923)	L.S. Roberts	Zez Confrey Orchestra	Victor: B-28007
Oh Harold (1923)	L.S. Roberts	Atlantic Dance Orchestra	Edison: 8951
Old Sweetheart of Mine, An (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-286
Patches (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Art Hickman's Orchestra	Columbia: 78693
Patches (1919)	L.S. Roberts	N. Bayes	Columbia: 78734
Patches (1920)	L.S. Roberts	Kings of Harmony Orchestra	Edison: 7143
Sad Hawaiian Sea (1924)	L.S. Roberts	Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra	Victor: B-29704
Smiles - Song (1918)	L.S. Roberts	Lambert Murphy	Victor: B-22228
Smiles - Song (1930)	L.S. Roberts	Ray Stillwell	Victor: PBVE-54853
Smiles - Song (1938)	L.S. Roberts	Oklahoma Playboys	Victor: BS-028616
⇑Smiles - Song (1941)	L.S. Roberts	Larry Clinton Orchestra	Victor: BS-063721
Smiles - Song (1917)	L.S. Roberts	Rector Novelty Orchestra	Columbia: 77516
Smiles - Song (1918)	L.S. Roberts	H. Burr Albert Campbell	Columbia: 77971
Smiles - Song (1918)	L.S. Roberts	Harmony Four	Edison: 6254
Sonrisas (1937)	L.S. Roberts	Magos del Ritmo	Victor: MBS-90872
Southern Nights (1917)	L.S. Roberts	Prince's Orchestra	Columbia: 77506
Sweet and Low (1919)	L.S. Roberts	Tuxedo Dance Orchestra	Edison: 7040
Sweetie Sweet (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-285
T' jours a moi (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-287
Valse Charme (1924)	L.S. Roberts	R. Perkins	Edison: 10051
as Performer
Lover's Lane (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-284
Old Sweetheart of Mine, An (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-286
Sweetie Sweet (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-285
T' jours a moi (1927)	L.S. Roberts	L.S. Roberts	Victor: PBVE-287

Samples

	Title (Release Year)	Performers	Instruments


Harriman Cake Walk (1915)	Midi Ragtime Recorder Ens.	D/A/T/T/B/GB(B)
High Ball (1912)	Midi Ragtime Recorder Ens.	A/T/T/T/B/GB(B)
Smiles - Song (1917)	Midi Ragtime Recorder Ens.	T/T/T/B/B/GB(B)

CDs

	Performer	CD Title	Supplier


	Ragtime Music CDs:
	Various Artists	Honky Tonk Piano
	Various Artists	Ragtime unter dem Doppeladler
	Paragon Ragtime Orchestra	The Whistler and His Dog

Item	Title	Available	€	£	$	Other



DBE1097	Harriman Cake Walk (1915) - Fox Trot D/A/T/T/B/GB(B), approx. 3½ mins.	print-on-demand	€12.00	£10.00	$15.50
DBE1098	High Ball (1912) - Piece Characteristic A/T/T/T/B/GB(B), approx. 3 mins.	print-on-demand	€12.00	£10.00	$15.50
DBE1099	Smiles (1917) - Foxtrot Song T/T/T/B/B/GB(B), approx. 3 mins.	print-on-demand	€12.00	£10.00	$15.50

Library

	Title	Instruments	Remarks


Harriman Cake Walk (1915)	D/A/T/T/B/GB(B)
High Ball (1912)	A/T/T/T/B/GB(B)	Pub.
Smiles - Song (1917)	T/T/T/B/B/GB(B)	Pub.

	Title	Attribution	Instruments	Source	Remarks


After All (1919)	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	Greer
Chiffonette Dance (1915)	L.S. Roberts (music)	Piano	IMSLP
Ching Chong (1917)	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	Greer Indiana Sheet Music Singer
Doll House (1912)	L.S. Roberts (w&m)	Piano, Voice	Indiana	Pub.
Harriman Cake Walk (1915)	L.S. Roberts (w&m) Billy Reardon (perf.) Josephine Harriman (perf.)	Piano, Voice	Indiana	Pub.
Hawaiian Nights (1916)	L.S. Roberts (w&m)	Piano, Voice	Indiana	Pub.
Hawaiian Nights - Song (1919)	L.S. Roberts (w&m)	Piano, Voice	IMSLP
⇑Italian Nights (1918)	L.S. Roberts (music)	Piano	IMSLP	Pub.
Little Birch Canoe and You (1918), A	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	IMSLP Indiana	Pub.
Lonesome - That's All (1919)	L.S. Roberts (music) Bradley, Ben J (coauth.) Bradley, Ben J. (words) Roberts, Lee S. (words) Wayne King (perf.) Frank Munn (perf.)	Piano, Voice	Indiana Indiana
Mammy's Lullaby (1918)	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	Greer	Pub.
Nailo (1920)	L.S. Roberts (music) J Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Orchestra	IMSLP
Patches (1919)	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	Greer Sheet Music Singer	Pub.
Smiles - Song (1917)	L.S. Roberts (music) J. Will Callahan (words)	Piano, Voice	Greer Greer Sheet Music Singer	Pub.
Smiles - Song (1918)	L.S. Roberts (music) Callahan, J. Will W. (words)	Piano, Voice	Indiana	Pub.
⇑Smiles Waltz (1919)	L.S. Roberts (music)	Piano	IMSLP
There's a Time in Each Day (1915)	L.S. Roberts (music) Callahan, J. Will W. (words)	Piano, Voice	Indiana
Valse Parisienne (1912)	L.S. Roberts (music)	Piano	IMSLP
You (1912)	L.S. Roberts (w&m)	Piano, Voice	Indiana	Pub.

Works

This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 78 works by Lee S. Roberts (1884-1949). It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: ER

(w&m)

1912-1915

Title	Year	Attribution	Remarks


Dainty Graces	1912
Doll House	1912
High Ball	1912	Midi Ragtime Recorder Ensemble (perf.)	Pub.
Moon Kiss	1912		Pub.
Pansy	1912		Pub.
Snowball	1912
Valse Parisienne	1912		Pub.
You (w&m)	1912		Pub.
Falls Caprice, The	1913
Harlequin	1913		Pub.
Rainbow Isle	1913
⇑ Mon Plaisir	1914
Panama, The	1914		Pub.
Aloha Oe	1915
Autumn of Life, The (w&m)	1915
Chiffonette Dance	1915		Pub.
Good Old Days in Alabam	1915	L Wolfe Gilbert (words)
Harriman Cake Walk	1915	Midi Ragtime Recorder Ensemble (perf.) Josephine Harriman (perf.) Billy Reardon (perf.)	Pub.
Lights and Shadows	1915		Pub.
Summer Nights	1915		Pub.

1915-1919

Title	Year	Attribution	Remarks


There's a Time in Each Day (w&m)	1915
Valse Debonair	1915		Pub.
Hawaiian Nights	1916	Frank Ferera (perf.) Anthony J. Franchini (perf.) Kalaluki Hawaiian Orchestra (perf.) Helen Louise (perf.) Prince's Orchestra (perf.)
I Miss You Miss America (w&m)	1916	L. Wolfe Gilbert (words)
Moon Dreams	1916
Sincerity Waltz	1916
Teddy You're a Bear	1916
Ching Chong	1917	J. Will Callahan (words) Prince's Band (perf.)	Pub.
Smiles - Song	1917	J Will Callahan (words) Henry Burr (perf.) Albert Campbell (perf.) Midi Ragtime Recorder Ensemble (perf.) Harmony Four (perf.) Larry Clinton Orchestra (perf.) Lambert Murphy (perf.) Oklahoma Playboys (perf.) Marie Rappold (perf.) Rector Novelty Orchestra (perf.) Ray Stillwell (perf.)
Southern Nights	1917	Prince's Orchestra (perf.)
Dreamy Hawaiian Moon	1918
⇑ Italian Nights	1918		Pub.
Little Birch Canoe and You, A	1918	J. Will Callahan (words) Elsie West Baker (perf.) Henry Burr (perf.) Albert Campbell (perf.) Wilfred Glenn (perf.) Olive Kline (perf.) Harry MacDonough (perf.) John H. Meyer (perf.) Lambert Murphy (perf.) Manuel Romain (perf.) Reinald Werrenrath (perf.)	Pub.
Lonesome - That's All	1918	Ben J. Bradley (words) George Wilton Ballard (perf.) Wayne King (perf.) Frank Munn (perf.) Margaret Romaine (perf.) Rudy Vallée (perf.)
Mammy's Lullaby	1918	J. Will Callahan (words) George Wilton Ballard (perf.) Charles Hart (perf.) Steve Porter (perf.) Happy Six (perf.) Mr. Thomas (perf.)	Pub.
That Old Fashioned Mother of Mine	1918	J. Will Callahan (words)	Pub.
You Don't Know	1918		Pub.
After All	1919	J. Will Callahan (words) Henry Burr (perf.) Charles Harrison (perf.) Marguerite Sylva (perf.) Reinald Werrenrath (perf.)	Pub.
Cleo	1919	All Star Trio (perf.) Yerkes Jazarimba Orchestra (perf.)
Hawaiian Nights - Song (w&m)	1919	Arr. by Dave Kapian	Pub.

1919-1937

Title	Year	Attribution	Remarks


Montezuma	1919	J. Will Callahan (words)
Patches	1919	J. Will Callahan (words) Art Hickman's Orchestra (perf.) Nora Bayes (perf.) Kings of Harmony Orchestra (perf.)	Pub.
Please	1919
Smiles Waltz	1919
Sweet and Low	1919	Tuxedo Dance Orchestra (perf.)
Broken Moon	1920	J. Will Callahan (words) Nora Bayes (perf.)
Drowsy Baby	1920	J. Will Callahan (words) Elsie West Baker (perf.) Olive Kline (perf.)	Pub.
Nailo	1920	J Will Callahan (words)	Pub.
All For You	1921	Happy Six (perf.)
Hula Dreams	1923
Oh Harold	1923	Atlantic Dance Orchestra (perf.) Zez Confrey Orchestra (perf.)
⇑ Sad Hawaiian Sea	1923	Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra (perf.)
To One In Paradise	1923	Edgar Allan Poe (words)	Pub.
Valse Charme	1924	Ray Perkins (perf.)
Lover's Lane	1927	Lee S. Roberts (perf.)
Old Sweetheart of Mine, An	1927	Lee S. Roberts (perf.)
Sweetie Sweet	1927	Lee S. Roberts (perf.)
T' jours a moi	1927	Lee S. Roberts (perf.)
Oklahoma Lullaby	1929	J. Will Callahan (words)	Pub.
Sonrisas	1937	Magos del Ritmo (perf.)

1938-?

Title	Year	Attribution	Remarks


Grass Is Just As Green, The	1938	J. Will Callahan (words) Rose Blane (perf.)
Answer	?
Ave Maria	?
Barcarolle	?
Charme D'amour	?
Every Little Movement	?
Herd Girl's Dream, The	?
Hesitation	?
High Jinks	?
I Hear You Calling Me	?	E. Voitier (co-author)
Jaqueline Valse	?
⇑ Loin Du Bal	?
Martha	?
Mignonette	?
Response to Valse Parisienne	?
Silently the Roses Fall (w&m)	?		Pub.
Sonata Op. 27: No. 2	?
Valse Brilliant	?