Charles P. Lowe was an American xylophonist who made numerous recordings in the early days of the recording industry.
In 1883 Lowe was featured in a series of concerts at West End, New Orleans directed by Gustav D'Aquin.[1] Lowe was a featured performer in New York theaters in the 1880s, including Huber's Prospect Garden (1884).[2]
Lowe first recorded for the New Jersey Phonograph Company in 1892 and remained the most prominent xylophonist in the recording industry's formative years.[3][4] He recorded for most American record companies in existence before 1905, including 21 titles for Berliner Gramophone between 1897 and 1899,[5]Columbia cylinders (pre-1900 - 1905) and discs (1902 to 1905),[3][5][6]Edison cylinders,[7]Victor Records from 1900 to 1904,[3][5] and numerous recordings for Zonophone between 1900 and 1903.[5] His last recordings were made in 1905.[3]
Lowe played xylophones with rounded bars in order to ease the execution of glissandi.[8] His rolls were played in a faster style than was to be common later.[8]
He was married to contralto Jacobine Wichmann Lowe, who performed as "Miss Jottie"[3]
