We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Freshie by Sydney Simpson and his Wentworth Café Orchestra

1926

Freshie by Sydney Simpson and his Wentworth Café Orchestra

1926

  • NFSA IDYWS5J48N
  • TypeMusic and Sound Recordings
  • MediumAudio
  • FormMusic
  • GenresJazz music
  • Year1926

On 23 October 1926, the Daily Telegraph reported that the Columbia Company had released the first record pressed and recorded at their Homebush studio and factory – and made the first entirely Australian recording.

The 10” shellac disc consisted of two items played by Sydney Simpson and his Wentworth Cafe Orchestra: the popular ‘After the Dawn’ waltz by Jack O’Hagan, and a foxtrot, ‘Freshie’, by Jesse Greer and Harold Berg. ‘After the Dawn’ was the first entirely Australian recording, being composed, performed, recorded and pressed by Australians.

Many thousands of Australian performances were later recorded and pressed at the Homebush facility up until 1992, when the factory closed with the cessation of production of vinyl records.

On 23 October 1926, the Daily Telegraph reported that the Columbia Company had released the first record pressed and recorded at their Homebush studio and factory – and made the first entirely Australian recording.

The 10” shellac disc consisted of two items played by Sydney Simpson and his Wentworth Cafe Orchestra: the popular ‘After the Dawn’ waltz by Jack O’Hagan, and a foxtrot, ‘Freshie’, by Jesse Greer and Harold Berg. ‘After the Dawn’ was the first entirely Australian recording, being composed, performed, recorded and pressed by Australians.

Many thousands of Australian performances were later recorded and pressed at the Homebush facility up until 1992, when the factory closed with the cessation of production of vinyl records.

  • Composers
    Jesse Greer and Harold Berg
Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

  • Start your own collection

    A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff