Willy Larsen

William "Willy" Larsen (November 18, 1885 – March 10, 1935) was a Finnish American accordionist and director.

Willy Larsen
Willy Larsen.
Background information
Birth name	William Larsen
Also known as	Willie Larsen, Willy Larsen
Born	(1885-11-18)November 18, 1885 Kotka, Finland
Died	March 10, 1935(1935-03-10) (aged 49)
Genres	Schlager music
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Accordion
Years active	1920s and 1930s
Labels	Columbia Records

Larsen's ancestors came to Finland from Norway in the 17th-century, and he was born in Kotka. As a young man Larsen became a sailor and moved to the US before World War I. He settled down in New York City, where he performed at the Finnish American halls. Between 1920 and 1931, Larsen made 42 solo recordings for Columbia Records. He also made several recordings as accompanist for various artists, including Leo Kauppi and Hannes Saari.

Discography

1920

• Apostol schottische (with Martti Söderlund)
• Elisabetin jänkä (with Martti Söderlund)
• Tyttöjen vienti

1921

• Suomen ent. kaartin marssi
• Kymmenen kynttä
• Lammen laine
• Merellä

1925

• Lyytin polkka
• Kaipuu
• Kerenski
• Surut pois

December 25, 1925

• Heilani kanssa
• Yksin
• Taikayö
• Pohjalaispolkka

May 8, 1926

• Rakkauden kaiho
• Syystunnelma
• Suomen polkkaa

August 4, 1926

• Eveliina polkka
• Helmi
• Viimeinen valssi

April 21, 1927

• Elämää juoksuhaudoissa (with Stanley Lutz)
• Syysruusuja (with Stanley Lutz)

May 17, 1927

• Turun polkka (with Stanley Lutz)
• Maijani kanssa (with Stanley Lutz)

1928

• Elokuun kuutamo
• Muistoja synnyinlaaksosta
• Muistoja Pohjolasta

April 10, 1928

• Jäähyvästi isänmaa
• Kultani kainalossa
• Kyllikki valssi
• Lukkari-Heikin polkka

February 17, 1930

• Seurasaaren polkka
• Soittajan kohtalo
• Poikain vienti
• Muistoja Karpaateilta

1931

• Eveliina polkka
• Viipurin sottiisi
• Sydänsuru
• Lemmenkaipuu