Ernö Geiger

Ernö (Ernst) Geiger: * September 21, 1885, Budapest, † after September 30, 1942, Auschwitz concentration camp/General Government (Oświęcim/Poland). Violinist, bandmaster. Founder and director of the Wiener Salon-Orchester "D'Geigerbuben" (also Geigerbuben), with which he performed in numerous Viennese establishments (1913 Tabarin, 1914 Fürstenhof, and from November 1914 in the newly opened Reichshallen). He also performed at the Hotel Esplanade in Baden in 1915 and in Marienbad in 1916. Around 1910–1920, he also made several recordings, which are considered "high-quality examples of European salon band ragtime" (Nowakowski). In October 1916, he enlisted in the military, whereupon the band was temporarily disbanded. In 1917, he performed again with the Geigerbuam at the Reichshallen, in 1919 at the Trocadero, and in 1920 again at the Tabarin. Presumably in 1924, G. went to Berlin, where he led his own dance orchestra (engagements included the Palais de Danse, Hotel Bristol, Karstadt-Dachgarten, and Femina). In 1924/25, he recorded American jazz tracks with his orchestra. He also became known as a composer of several popular songs, sometimes together with his brother Gyula Geiger. In 1933, he emigrated (exiled), ultimately to France. He was deported from Drancy to Auschwitz on September 30, 1942, where he perished.