Herman D. Kenin, born October 26, 1901 in Vineland (NJ) – July 21, 1970, was an American musician, leader of an orchestra, and trade unionist. Kenin, his mother and father, moved to Portland in Oregon in August 1911. He was offered a job as a violinist in George Olsen’s up-and-coming dance group in the 1920s. Olsen, along with some members of his orchestra, left Portland in 1925 to take a job at a Los Angeles hotel. To fulfill Olsen’s promise at the Portland Hotel, Kenin and several band members stayed behind. In just one year, Kenin was promoted to the Multnomah hotel band leader. Victor Records’ West Coast Office in Oakland was notified about the group. Victor took their mobile recording equipment with them to Portland, where they recorded Kenin’s Multnomah Hotel Orchestra. These were the first recordings to be made in Portland. After the records were a success, Kenin accepted an engagement at Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel, where he continued to record more sides for Victor Records. He was the head of American Federation of Musicians, and then he was the leader of American Federation of Labor. His efforts earned him a place on the master list for Nixon’s political enemies. From Wikipedia
