Bessie Mecklem Hackenberger (19 April 1876 – 5 June 1942) was one of the earliest American-born saxophone soloists. In her teens, she was a student of Edward A. Lefebre (1835–1911), pre-eminent saxophonist of the nineteenth century and soloist with Gilmore and Sousa's bands.[1] During the 1890s, when female woodwind and brass players were uncommon, she performed extensively throughout the northeastern United States with her father, harpist Henry Clay Mecklem (1841–1915).[2] The pair appeared in a wide variety of venues popular during the Gilded Age including lyceum; YMCA and temperance organizations; meetings of fraternal societies, labor organizations, and civic groups; benefit concerts; solos with professional wind bands; and amusement parks. Mecklem recorded twelve wax phonograph cylinders at the Edison Laboratories on 23 April 1892.[3] After her marriage in 1900 to Bertram Lyon Hackenberger (1871–1932), she ceased playing professionally, but continued to perform as an active participant in the Progressive-era women's club movement.
- ^ Noyes, James Russell (2000). Edward A. Lefebre, (1835–1911): Preeminent Saxophonist of the Nineteenth Century. D.M.A. dissertation: Manhattan School of Music.
- ^ Smialek, Thomas; Logrande, L.A. (2013–2014). "America's 'Young Lady Saxophonist' of the Gilded Age: The Performances, Critical Reception, and Repertoire of Bessie Mecklem". The Saxophone Symposium. 36–37: 90. Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
- ^ Smialek, Thomas (2013–2014). "The First Solo Saxophone Recording Reconsidered". The Saxophone Symposium. 36–37: 1–28. Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-21.