William Eckstein

In 1920, Eckstein began branching out, creating and performing with one of the first live jazz bands in Montreal, led by William’s brother Jack entitled “Eckstein’s Jazz Orchestra”. Eckstein was also a featured solo pianist on the Victor label, many times recording under the pseudonym ‘Vi Palmer’. Perhaps the most significant of Eckstein’s recordings was the 1923 Maple Leaf Rag, written by Scott Joplin, which was the first solo-piano 78-rpm.

In 1930, the invention of ‘talkies’ brought an end to silent films and with it came the end of Eckstein’s career at The Strand Theater. This did not deter Eckstein, who moved on to cabaret, radio and television shows, eventually settling at the Château Ste. Rose night club in Montreal. His act involved piano-duets with notable jazz figures including Robert Langlois. In 1959, Eckstein solidified his place in Canadian jazz history when he composed and played the patriotic Queen of Canada in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal tour. This song received international praise and earned Eckstein letters of thanks from Buckingham Palace, the Governor General and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

In May, 1963, friends, family and fans of Eckstein hosted an evening of appreciation for his work. This would prove to be Eckstein’s last public performance, suffering from a severe stroke later that night and eventually passing away four months later on September 23, 1963. William Eckstein devoted his life to mastering his chosen craft, inspiring and opening doors for Canadian jazz pianists including Oscar Peterson and Eckstein’s own protégé Vera Guilaroff, who collaborated with Eckstein on numerous songs and radio performances. Eckstein’s music has remained popular, being recorded by jazz singers Sarah Vaughn and French-Canadian pianist Mimi Blais.