Wilmoth Houdini was a Trinidadian calypsonian born Frederick Wilmoth Hendricks on November 25, 1895. He began his musical career in 1916 with the carnival group African Millionaires. In 1927, he relocated to New York City and recorded for Decca Records. He released over one hundred 78s between 1928 and 1940 under names including Edgar Leon Sinclair and King Houdini. His 1934 recording “War Declaration” served as a rebuttal to Trinidadian critics. Houdini's 1939 composition “He Had It Coming” became a hit for Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald as “Stone Cold Dead in the Market”. The track reached number 7 on the pop charts. He organized calypso festivals in New York and performed at the Caribbean Club in the 1950s. His recording “Uncle Joe” influenced numerous American musicians. Hendricks died on August 6, 1973.
|
The Cooks In Trinidad (Trinidad, Recordings of 1931 - 1934)
|
|
Monkey Swing (Trinidad, Recordings of 1934 - 1939)
|
|
Harlem Alley Cats (Trinidad, Recordings of 1940 - 1947)
|
|
Sweet Like Sugar Cane (Trinidad, Recordings of 1928 - 1931)
|
| Calypso Ladies - Early Calypso from Trinidad |
| Rum and Coca-Cola |
| Poor but Ambitious: Calypso Classics from Trinidad 1928-1940 |
| Rum & Coca-Cola |
|
The Cooks in Trinidad
|
|
The Calypso Way
|
| Calypso Legends - Wilmoth Houdini (1929 - 1940) |
| 15 World Music Classics |
| Classic Music of Black Origin, Vol. 1 |
| Island Rhythms: The Calypso Pioneers Era (1925 - 1947) |
| Calypso Carnival (1935 - 1939) |