Vess L. Ossman

American banjo player (born August 21, 1868 in Hudson, New York, died December 7, 1923 in Fairmont, Minnesota)

Known as "The Banjo King", Ossman recorded prolifically between 1893 and 1917. He not only performed widely in the United States, but also toured England twice, in 1900 and 1903, making several recordings in London during each visit. Around 1906, he formed a popular trio, the Ossman-Dudley Trio, consisting of himself on banjo, Audley Dudley on mandolin, and George N. Dudley on harp guitar. Overshadowed by a younger rival, Fred Van Eps, and by the end of the ragtime craze, Ossman made his last recordings for Columbia in 1917. He continued to perform with his son, Vess L. Ossman, Jr., until December 1923, when he suffered a fatal heart attack while on a tour.

A banjo solo of "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden" that Ossman recorded January 21, 1901, was the oldest surviving master recording in RCA Victor's recording archive in 1946, when it was reissued in honor of the company's pressing of its 1 billionth record.