Marek Weber
Marek Weber (25 October 1888 – 9 February 1964) was an Austrian violinist and bandleader, renowned for his contributions to the music scene of the early 20th century. Born in Lviv, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Weber moved to Berlin in 1906 to study at the Stern Conservatory. By the age of 20, he had founded his own orchestra and became the resident bandleader at Berlin's prestigious Hotel Adlon in 1923.
Weber's orchestra gained prominence in the early 1920s, recording for labels such as Parlophon, Deutsche Grammophon, and later Electrola. Despite his personal disdain for jazz, which he found anarchic, his orchestra featured some of the finest jazz musicians in Germany. His ensemble was known for traditional European dance music, including polkas, waltzes, and foxtrots.
As a prominent Jewish musician, Weber faced persecution under the Nazi regime, leading him to emigrate from Germany in 1933. He eventually settled in the United States in 1937, where he became known as the "Radio Waltz King" and performed on the NBC Red Network.
After World War II, Weber retired from music and took up farming. He passed away in Chicago at the age of 75. His legacy endures through his recordings and contributions to both classical and contemporary dance music.