Paul Godwin

Paul Godwin (1902 – 1982) was a violinist and the leader of a popular German dance orchestra in the 1920s-30s.

Biography

He was born on March 28, 1902, in Sosnowitz (Russian Empire; now Poland), his real name was Pinchas Goldfein. Early recordings on the POLYPHON label gave the name "Tanz-Orchester Goldfein". He studied the violin at the Warsaw Conservatory under Stanisław Barcewicz.

At the age of 20 he formed his own dance band in Berlin. Between 1926 and 1933 his orchestra Tanz-Orchester Paul Godwin recorded a countless number of records for European labels, mostly for Berliner Gramophone. Many recording singers were backed by his orchestra at that time. His band performed current hits and longtime favorites of various styles: foxtrots, waltzes, tangos, polkas. Occasionally Paul Godwin recorded classical pieces, with his full orchestra as well as the "Paul Godwin-Trio" or "Paul Godwin Quartet". Due to the variety of their repertoire, his orchestra recorded under various monikers: Tanz-Orchester Godwin, Paul Godwin's Jazz Symphoniker, Paul Godwin-Ensemble, Paul Godwin & sein Weekend-Orchester etc. In 1929-1933 he turned to cinema and provided many UFA motion pictures with hugely popular soundtracks.