Tempo
- Place of Publication: Los Angeles, CA
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1933-1940
- Periodicity: Generally monthly
- Editor: Charles Emge
- Publishers: Ward M. Humphrey, Charles Emge
- Type: Full Text
- Introduction by: Andrea Copland
"Tempo is an expression of faith — faith in a particular group, the professional musicians of Los Angeles…" [Tempo 1, no. 1 (15 June 1933): 2]
Subtitled as “A monthly magazine published by musicians for musicians,” Tempo began as a monthly 8-page newspaper published by and for musicians in southern California. In July 1937, Tempo expanded to become a monthly magazine with issues ranging from 24 to 36 pages in length. While reporting largely focused on Los Angeles, reports from across the United States begin to appear with the switch in publishing format.
Tempo reports extensively on musical leadership and personnel throughout the city and across the industry, including dance bands and contractors. Major events involving the musician's union (AFM Local 47), contracting, venue changes, and the motion picture industry, are central topics. As noted in the first editorial, Tempo intended to report in a factual manner: “Tempo is out to grind no one’s ax...[or]… indulg[e] in side-line quarterback tactics.” Specific music venues were also discussed by category, under rubrics such as “Radio and Café News,” “Ballroom & Theatre News,” “Hollywood Studio News,” and “Symphony & Concert News.” Numerous directory listings regularly appear, including lists of musicians performing in specific venues, to dentists, physicians, insurance, instrument sales, repairs, arrangers, and sheet music stores.
Tempo was owned and published by two working musicians, Ward M. Humphrey (1904-1994) and Charlie Emge (1905-1957). Humphrey was a trombonist, active in many Los Angeles orchestras and bands. Emge was a saxophonist, playing alto and tenor in bands across the region while also working increasingly as a music journalist. As noted by Emge in 1940, “I’m still a musician to the extent that I have a small, very lousy band at a small neighborhood ballroom. At present I am masquerading as a sax player, but it’s pretty general knowledge around Los Angeles that I’m a reformed banjo player who has become a leader in order to work as a musician.” (Down Beat, 15 May 1940). Emge provided a wide-ranging editorial column, “Overtones,” for many years.
During the first three volumes, most all content was contributed under Emge’s name, in addition to a number of likely pseudonyms. Beginning in 1936, Marshall W. Stearns began contributing in his role as secretary of the United Hot Clubs of America (UHCA). By the late 1930s, correspondent columns brought news from Chicago (John Steiner), New York (George Avakian), and Boston (George Frazier). Hal Holly provided record reviews.
Tempo was sold to Down Beat at the beginning of 1940. Emge continued with Down Beat as Los Angeles correspondent for many years until his passing in 1957.