Harry Kandel (c. 1885–1943) was an American clarinetist and klezmer bandleader of the early twentieth century. His recording career with the Victor Recording Company lasted from 1916 to 1927, during which he released dozens of Jewish music records. Biography Early life Harry was born Chaim Kandel () sometime around 1885; on some immigration documents he gave his birthdate as September 21, 1883 or March 28, 1884. Kandel's birthplace is also unclear, as some sources say he was born in Kraków, Galicia whereas others say it was Lviv or just Galicia more generally. In a number of census and immigration documents Kandel listed his birthplace as Russia or more specifically Kovel, Volyn Oblast (now located in Ukraine). His father was named Mordko Kandel. Despite Harry's later career recording klezmer music in the United States, he apparently did not come from a klezmer family, but one involved in the timber trade. He studied clarinet at the Odessa Conservatory and briefly served in a Russian army band before emigrating to New York City in October 1904. Music career Upon arriving in the United States, Kandel became a working musician on the popular Keith Vaudeville Circuit with the Great Lafayette Band, then appeared on Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. He seems to have lived in Philadelphia as early as 1904, although he also apparently lived and worked in New York City at other times. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1912. At some point in the 1910s he became bandleader at the Arch Street Theatre, a vaudeville and Yiddish Theatre venue, where he continued to work at least until 1918. He also became assistant band director in and clarinetist/saxophonist in John Philips Sousa's Pennsylvania State Militia Band. He also played weddings and community functions in Philadelphia. He formed his own group, Harry Kandel's Famous Inlet Orchestra, in 1916. He also got into business, opening the People's Talking Machine Company on South Street, a store which sold records, sheet music and Piano rolls. At around the same time he was recruited by the Victor Recording Company to help develop its klezmer music catalog. He became one of the well-known names in the genre alongside his contemporaries Naftule Brandwein, Max Leibowitz and Dave Tarras. According to Philadelphia klezmer researcher Hankus Netsky, his recordings during this era were full of melodies and musicians from that city's klezmer music milieu, including drummer and xylophonist Jacob Hoffman, and