George Olsen


George Edward Olsen, Sr. (March 18, 1893 - March 18, 1971) was an American 

bandleader. Born in Portland, Oregon, he played the drums and attended the 

University of Michigan, where he was drum major. Here he formed his band, George 

Olsen and his Music, which continued in the Portland area. He then made the 

cross-county transition to Broadway, appearing in Kid Boots, the Ziegfeld 

Follies of 1924, and Good News.  

 

George Olsen and his Music were prolific Victor recording artists and their 

records are among the most numerous found by record collectors today, testifying 

to their original popularity. He and his orchestra were in Eddie Cantor's 1928 

Broadway hit Whoopee!, and in the 1930 movie version. In the Follies George met 

a singer, Ethel Shutta (December 1, 1896 - February 5, 1976), who sings and 

dances memorably in Whoopee!, and they married, appearing together in nightclubs 

and on radio. They had two children, George, Jr. and Charles; following a 

divorce, Olsen opened a restaurant in Paramus, New Jersey.

 

Olsen signed with Victor in 1924 and remained as one of Victor's most popular 

bands through 1933 when he signed with Columbia. He stayed with Columbia through 

January, 1934. He recorded a single session in 1938 for Decca, and one final date 

for the rare Varsity label in 1940.

 

Olsen's bands, though excellent, produced few stars. Singer-saxophonist Fred 

MacMurray passed through in 1930 on his way to eventual movie stardom, recording 

a vocal on I'm in the Market for You. Olsen's long-time alto saxist and singer, 

Fran Frey, with his distinctive, reedy bass-baritone, was perhaps the best known 

Olsenite until he left in 1933 for a career as a music director in radio.

 

May 2, 1932 was airing of the first in a new series of half hour programs with 

George Olsen and his music with wife Ethel Shutta vocalist and Jack Benny as 

Master of Ceremonies. Sponsored by Canada Dry Ginger Ale and airing Monday and 

Wednesday over the NBC-WJZ network. This association continued until October 26, 

1932 (26 Weeks, 52 Episodes) when The Canada Dry Program moved from NBC to CBS 

without Olsen.

 

In late December 1932, Olsen's orchestra began a week-end series on NBC-WEAF.

 

In 1936, Olsen became leader of Orville Knapp's band after Knapp died in a plane

crash. Olsen was chosen to lead the band by Knapp's widow. Morale problems 

plagued the group, and in 1938, after many musicians had already left, the group 

disbanded.

 

A resident of Paramus, New Jersey, George Olson ran a popular local restaurant 

there on Paramus Road for many years before he died there on March 18, 1971.

 

 

IMDB

Actor (2 titles)

1943 Hit Tune Jamboree (short) (as George Olsen's Band) 

 

1931 Movie-Town (short) 

George Olsen (as George Olsen and His Orchestra)

 

Self (5 titles)

Shower of Stars (TV series) 

Himself

– Jack Benny Celebrates His 40th Birthday (1958) … Himself

 

1933 How to Break 90 #4: Downswing (short) 

Himself, George (uncredited)

 

1931 The Voice of Hollywood No. 26 (short) 

Himself - Orchestra Leader

 

1930 Follow Thru 

Himself

 

1929/I Happy Days 

Himself