Between his first (1929) film Broadway (on which he was uncredited) and the 1963 film Philbert (Three's a Crowd) Howard worked on perhaps 300 other films, --and was uncredited in perhaps 80% of those productions.
His film scores include:
Jean has appeared in Music videos with such performers as:
However, Jenkins did compose several popular hits, including:
Among Harry Jentes best known Rags are:
In addition to the Rags, he also wrote some popular songs, including:
Jentes can also be heard on a number of piano rolls that he cut during the 1920's. His hit One Step dance tune "I Don't Want To Get Well" was one
of the tunes he put onto a player piano roll.
In December, 1890 Jerome was performing as an actor in "The fast Mail Company" playing in the Brooklyn Grand Opera House.
Jerome's mother's maiden name was Donnellon, not Donnelly as falsely reported, and she successfully contested the estate of her father, Cornelius Donnellon, a Protestant Irish immigrant who made a fortune in construction in Brooklyn, such that she was eventually recognized as his daughter after the original denials of her other family members. Mary may have also suffered some falling out with her family for marrying Patrick Flannery, an Irish-Catholic immigrant and moving to the countryside to the North.
In 1911, this fine lyricist wrote "Back Home In Tennessee", to Walter Donaldson's music.
But Howard and lyricist John Aloysues Tucker wrote a great many songs,
among which were such memorable tunes as:
The Songwriters' Hall of Fame elected Howard Johnson to membership.
Al contributed scores or tunes to at least 8 films inclcuding:
But Jacobs also composeed such tunes as:
However, working as either an arranger, or conductor, his work is heard on some extroadinary films including
His goal at this time was to become a student at Berlin's 'Staatliche Akademische Musikhochsule', hoping he could study under such men as Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Arnold Schoenberg, and Franz Schrecker. In 1931, the city of Berlin awarded him the 'Beethoven Prize'. However, what seemed like an auspicious beginning quickly came to an end when in 1933. he was booed off of a concert stage by members of the 'Kampfbund füDeutsche Kultur', solely because of his lineage as a Polish Jew.
What then happened is rather amazing. This Polish Jew would spend the World War II years actively, and successfully, working inside Nazi Germany. He had to assume several different names. He used the pseudonym of Jackie Leeds for his musical arrangements, and for his songwriting, he first used the name of Max Jantzen. A songwriter friend of his, Bruno Balz, was instrumental in getting him a job as an assistant to the film composers Franz Doelle (b. Nov.9, 1883, d. March 13, 1965), and to Leo Leux (b. March 7, 1893, Munich, Germany, d. Sept. 8, 1951, Berlin, Germany). Balz and Jary did collaborate on several songs, including "Fridolin", "Der Wind hat mir ein Lied erzählt" ("Le Ven m'a dit une chanson") for the film La Habanera, (1937- and for which the Swedish singer, Zarah Leander, sold millions of Odeon records (in three languages -German, Swedish and French).
The first film he worked on, 1935's "Amphitryon" (starring Willi Fritsch, and Adele Sandrock) was the box-office hit. It was originally planned as an Erich Pommer production, but Pommer had already left Germany for the U.S.A. He was replaced by Schuenzel whose direction was elegant. (Schunzel is also well known for the German film Viktor und Viktoria, which later was the inspiration for the Blake Edwards production Victor Victoria, starring Julie Andrews and Robert Preston.)
Ca. 1937/'38, he again found it expedient to change his name, this time to Michael Jary, the name under which he would achieve worldwide fame. Among his Pop hit songs of 1938 are "Roter Mohn" ("Red Puppy), and "Ich weiss, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehen" ("I Know That Someday a Miracle Will Happen"). By 1940, he was also leading a band and recording as 'Michael Jary and his orchestra'. One of the tunes he recorded was "Hexentanz" ("Witches Dance" - composed by Gerhard Winkler). One must understand that the Nazis considered 'Jazz' to be degenerate, and anti-German. However, unable to stop the music's popularity, the Nazis tried to 'adapt' it, to 'Aryanize' it, by translating the original English or American titles into German, and allowing only German bandleaders and musicians. In Michael Jary case, this was total failure because Jary was actually a native Polish, a Jew, and writing Pop music. What is even more amazing, is that he accomplished this during the darkest days of Nazi terror.
Both composer Gerhard Winkler, and Michael Jary, arranger/orchestrator established musical careers not because of, but despite of the Nazi regime, and continued working after the Nazi defeat.
Among the songs he wrote are:
Arthur Jackson
Arthur Jackson was a pseudonym used very early in his career by famed lyricist
Ira Gershwin, composer George Gershwin's brother, and collaborator.
Howard Jackson
né: Howard Manuey Jackson
b: Feb., 8, 1900, St. Augustine, FL, USA
d: Aug. 4, 1966, Florida, USA
Currently No Information On This Composer, whose career was spent working in the Hollywood (Paramount) Studios.
Some of the popular songs that he composed include:
"Lazy Rhapsody",
"Let's Be Frivolous",
"He's Mine",
"Hearts In Dixie", and
"The First Spring Day".
Victor Jacobi
b. Oct. 22, 1883 Budapest, Hungary, d. Dec. 10, 1921 New York, N.Y.
Overview
A product of the Budapest school system, he began his career as a composer of operettas. In 1912, at age 29, his first operetta, 'The Proud Princess' was produced in his home town of Budapest. He composed several others in the following years, including 'The Rose and The Thorn'; 'The Brave Hussar'; 'Johnny'; 'Yes or No'; and 'The Queen's Gown'. Jacobi emigrated to New York City before the outbreak of WW1.
Brief Chronology:
1913 His first Broadway show was 'The Marriage Market'. Gladys Ungar adapted this German musical for the American stage. Donald Brian played the part of an Cowboy in a San Francisco marriage mart. The success of the show, which also toured Europe, helped to establish his American reputation. His songs, with lyrics by Arthur Anderson and Adrian Ross, included:
"Love of Mine"
"The Golden Day of Love"
"Come, Nestle in My Arms"
"All the Girls Love a Sailor Man"
1916 The Broadway show 'Sibyl' was a big hit also. It again starred Donald Brian with Julia Sanderson as Sibyl. The book and lyrics were by Harry Graham and Harry B. Smith.
"Sibyl"
"When Cupid Calls"
"Love May Be a Mystery"
1917 Jacobi scored Broadway show 'Rambler Rose', which again starred
Julia Sanderson.
"Just a Little Bit of Love", lyric by Harry B. Smith.
"I Know Now", lyric by Harry B. Smith.
"One Look, One Word", lyric by Harry B. Smith.
1919 The famed impressario Charles Dillingham, hired violinist Fritz Kreisler and Jacobi to write the music for his new musical play, 'Apple Blossoms'. The play starred John Charles Thomas; Wilda Bennett, and Fred and Adele Astaire. Based on Dumas' novel 'A Marriage of Convenience', the operetta had book and lyrics by William Le Baron. Fritz Kreisler wrote half the score. Jacobi's half included:
"You Are Free"
"Little Girls"
"Goodbye"
1920 Jacobi scored the Broadway operetta 'The Half Moon'.
"Deep in Your Eyes", lyric by William Le Baron.
1921 In 1920, Jacobi was in London, England helping with the opening of his 'Sibyl' operetta. While there, he scored a new show 'The Love Letter' adapted by William Le Baron from Ferenc Molnar's 'The Phantom Rival'. The show opened in 1921 with John Charles Thomas starring.
'The Love Letter' was Jacobi's last show. Late in the year, he suffered a heart attack and died in New York's Lenox Hill Hospital, at age 38.
Maurice Jaubert
b. Jan. 3, 1900, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France, d. June 19, 1940, Azerailles, France.
This French composer was killed in the invasion of France during WWII. During his active career, he not only worked on the music for French made films, but also contributed some scores to a number of British films. Well after his demise, his music was still being interpolated into films, even as late as 1999 (the theme for 'The Children of Chabannes'). Jaubert also acted in the 1939 French film 'Nuit de Decembre', which was also known as 'Heure Exquise' and also under the International English title of 'Night in December'. He also worked as the musical director for the 1936 film 'Mayerling'.
Jour se l�e, Le (1939 aka in USA: 'Daybreak')
Fin du jour, La (1939 aka in USA: 'End of a Day, The')
Altitude 3,200 (1938 aka: Youth in Revolt)
Hotel du Nord (1938)
Quai des brumes, Le (1938 aka in USA: 'Port of Shadows')
Un carnet de bal (1937 aka in USA: 'Life Dances On')
Drile de drame (1936 aka in USA: 'Bizarre, Bizarre')
Mademoiselle Docteur (1936. This film was:
aka in France: 'Salonique nid d'espions'
aka in England: 'Spies from Salonika'
aka in USA: 'Street of Shadows'
Dernier milliardaire, Le (1934)
aka: 'Last Billionaire, The'
aka: 'Last Millionaire, The'
Ile de paques, L' (1934)
Atalante, L' (1934 aka: 'Chaland qui passe, Le')
Z�o de conduite (1933 aka in USA: 'Zero for Conduct')
Quatorze Juillet (1933 aka: 'Bastille Day' and in USA: 'July 14')
Affaire est dans le sac, L' (1932 aka: 'It's in the Bag')
Grosstadtnacht (1932)
Mirages de Paris (1932)
Wunderbare Lge der Nina Petrowna, Die (1929 aka: Wonderful Lies of Nina Petrovna, The')
Wyclef Jean
b: Oct. 17, 1972, Haiti
Jean is probably best known as a vocalist with "The Fugees" group, but has lead a rather full life. In June 2000, he recorded a song with WWF Superstar 'The Rock' called "It Doesn't Matter". In Nov. 5, 1998, he won the WWF Heavyweight Title from Mankind for the first time. As a composer, he has contributed music to the films "Life" (1999) and to "Love Jones" (1997). As an actor, he portrayed himself in the 1997 film 'Rhyme & Reason'.
Whitney Houston: "My Love Is Your Love"
Puff Daddy: "Been Around The World"
Big Punisher: "It's So Hard"
Santana: "Maria Maria"
Destiny's Child: "Bug A Boo"
Pras: "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)
Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz: "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)"
His best recalled personal quote is "'One time, Two time...', ad nauseum".
Gordon Jenkins
b. 1910, Webster Groves, MI., d. 1984, Malibu, CA
Overview
Jenkins is remembered today principally as an arranger-conductor. His band and arrangements backed many famous vocalists on their recordings.
1934 "P.S. I Love You", a Jo Stafford hit.
1943 "San Fernando Valley", a hit for Bing Crosby.
1948 "Manhattan Tower". A good friend, Mr. Joe Roche, has pointed out that this was an innovative composition which combined Mood Music, Original Songs, Spoken Narration, Dialog, and Sound Effects to tell the story of an ambitious young man "making good" in New York City business and society.
Alex Jentes
Currently No Information Available.
Harry Jentes
b. 1887, New York, NY, USA. d. 1958, New York, NY, USA
This African American began his career as a vaudeville performer. Later he began composing Rags. (He should not be confused with another composer Alex Jentes who was active at the same time. One of the tunes Alex wrote (ca. 1916) was "He May Be Old, But He's Got Young Ideas".)
1906 "Bantam Step", Conway's Band had the hit recording.
1911 "The Rhapsody Rag"
1913 "The Soup and Fish Rag"
1924 "Rag-O-Rhythm
1912 "I'll be welcome in my home town; Good-bye to bright lights"
19??
"The Baseball Glide" was another of his tunes.
"Scissors and Knives To Grind", lyric by Ira Schuster and Paul Cunningham
1913
"California Sunshine"
"Let Her Go, Let Her Go, Let Her Go"
"Madrid"
1913 "Take Me To Loveland (That Beautiful Land of Love)"
1914
"When they christened Brother Johnson's child"
" Morning Glory", Dick Howard lyric
1915
"At The Fountain of Youth", lyric by Charles R. McCarron and Alex Gerber
"Put Me to Sleep with an Old Fashioned Melody", lyric by Sam M. Lewis and Dick Howard
1917 "I Don't Want To Get Well", with words by Harry Pease and Howard Johnson. (A One Step dance) This minor hit of World War 1 told the story of a wounded hero who doesn't wish to leave his beautiful nurse.
1920
"Way Down Barcelona Way (That Diddle-E-Um-De-Dum), Fred Fisher lyric
"All By Myself"
1923
"Blooey Blues"
"Rainbow Waltz"
"The Cat's Pajamas"
1936 "The Duchess Threw Her Crutches Away", with a Fred Fisher lyric
William Jerome
b. 1865, d 1932
William Jerome acquired his love for music and the stage as a boy from his visits to Dickey's Opera House on Second Street in Newburgh, NY. In 1882 he joined Mc Avoy's Hibernicon as a dancer and a propertyman, earning 10 dollars per week. Later he was a song and dance man and an" end man" in Barlow Wilson's minstrels. He was the first parody singer to head the bill in Tony Pastor's Fourteenth Street Theatre and "was E.F. Albee's star" at the Union Square Theatre during the early to mid 1890's.
"Mr. Jerome went into the music publishing business about the time of the World War, and
George M. Cohan gave him the wartime hit 'Over There' to publish. He was a member of the
Songwriter's Society and one of the first members and for years a director of the American
Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers (ASCAP). He married Maude Nugent, herself widely
known in stage circles. She also was a song writer and her song "Sweet Rosie O'Grady" matched
in popularity those of her husband whose lyrics were sung everywhere in the nation in the days
of the two step. They led an ideally happy life. Some months ago Mr. Jerome was struck by an
automobile and was badly hurt. He never fully recovered, but though crippled he never lost his
sunshine nor his sense of humor, 'It was a Rolls Royce that hit me' he said, 'and that was
some satisfaction. Think of my feelings if a Ford had fixed me up this way.'
-----The Newburgh News June 27, 1932
Among his other Titles are:
"Day by Day, In Every Way (I'm Falling More and More in Love with You.)", Music by Jean Schwartz.
"Get Out and Get Under the Moon" , lryicst Larry Shay and composer Chas. Tobias.
"I'm The Greatest Father In The World", w/lyricist Bryan Foy. Joseph J. Lilley music.
"In the Land Where The Green Grass Grows", Harry Von Tilzer Music.
"I've Got The Blues for Home Sweet Home", w/ E. Ray Goetz; and Geo. W. Meyer.
"Old King Tut", Harry Von Tilzer music.
"Sweet Kentucky Lady, Dry Your Eyes", Louis A. Hirsch music.
"Wee Gee", music be Harry Von Tilzer.
"When You're In You're In", music by Jean Schwartz.
"Where The Hudson Flows Out To Sea", w/lyricist Maude Nugent Jerome, Jean Schwartz music.
The above entry on William Jerome was kindly submitted by Mr. James Flannery.
Howard E. Johnson
b. 1887, Waterbury, CT, USA. d. 1941, New York, NY, USA.
Overview
A true "Tin Pan Alley" composer. His main lyricist was John Aloyseus Tucker, although he worked with others. Howard originally worked as a pianist in the silent movie theaters of Boston. He came to New York City and was engaged as a staff writer and song plugger for a music publisher.
His best known collaboration, with co-composer Harry M. Woods, was (1931) "When The Moon Comes Over the Mountain", which became singer Kate Smith's theme song:
"In the Woodshed, She Said She Would"
"Cock A Doodle, I'm Off My Noodle"
"Goil On The Flying Trapeze"
"Tee Um, Tee Um, Tee I, Tahiti"
"I Scream, You Scream, We All Screem For Ice Cream"
"Ciribiribin"
"The Best Things In Life Are Free"
While lyricist Tucker was responsible for such memorable songs as:
"Chuck Me the Chili, Lili"
"Hill Bill Tilly From Philly"
"Since Finnegan Got Thin-agin"
J. C. Johnson
b. Sept. 14, 1896 Chicago, IL, USA. d. Feb. 27, 1981
Overview
This Bandleader/Pianist/Composer is often confused with James P. Johnson, also a pianist who is today remembered mostly for his boogie woogie piano rhythms, while J.C. collaborated with others in writing pop songs, among which are:
"Dip Your Brush In The Sunshine"
1926 "Alabama Stomp", collaborated with Henry Creamer
1926 "She Belongs To Me", written with Razaf and Paul Denniker.
1928 "Lonesome Swallow" with Andy Razaf lyric.
1928 "Louisiana", written with Bob Schafer and Andy Razaf, Whiteman hit.
1929 "Traveling All Alone", an Ethel Waters vocal hit.
1934 "Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong", with J.C.Johnson, and lyric by Nat Schwartz, and George Whiting.
Al Jacobs
b. Jan. 22, 1903, San Francisco, CA, USA. d. Feb. 13, 1985, Laurel, MD, USA.
né: Albert T. Jacobs
While still a young child of 12, Al Jacobs was already composing songs. As a young man, he first supported himself giving vocal, guitar and dance lessons, while slowly developing into a successful and prolific song writer. Among his earliest songs were "I'm Just an Ordinary Human" (1935), and "Please Believe Me" (1936. Both co-composed with Larry Yoell).
In 1940 (during WWII), Songwriter Don Raye, had written, or perhaps was in the process of writing, some patriotic lyrics. Raye mentioned it to composer Al Jacobs who then contributed the music to a song which they entitled "This Is My Country". The tune was very popular, and over the years such stars as Bing Crosby, 'Tennessee' Ernie Ford, Pattie Labelle, and even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir have recorded it. It was originally recorded on January 7, 1942 by 'Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians', for the Decca label. (Curiously, both composers passed away within a month of each other; Raye in Encino, CA, USA, on January 29, 1985, and Jacobs on February 13, 1985 in Baltimore, MD, USA.) Jacob's later pop songs included "If I Give My Heart to You (co-composed with Milton Gabler and Jimmie Crane), and "I Need You Now" (co-composed with Jimmie Crane), both of which were 1954 'Hit Parade' show winning tunes.
Racing Fever (1964)
Love Goddesses of Blood Island (1964)
Sting of Death (1965)
Death Curse of Tartu (1966)
Devil's Sisters, The (1966)
Wild Rebels (1967)
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
The Karate Kid (1984)
"Aloha Hawaii Aloha", co-composed with Jimmie Franklin, and Lani McIntire
"By An Old Hawaiian Waterfall", co-composed with Harold David Aloma
"Honolulu" co-composed with John Avery Noble
"Honolulu Harbor", sole composer.
"I'm A Hawaiian Cowboy", co-composed with David L McEnery
"In The Royal Hawaiian Hotel", sole composer.
"Kon Tiki", co-composed with Fred B. Norman
"Lei Mana", sole composer.
"Pineapple Pete", co-composed with Harold David Aloma
"Under The Moana Banyan Tree" co-composed with John Avery Noble
"Wyoming In The Spring", co-composed with Mona Lee Wiseman, and David L. Mcenery
"Philosophosophize", co-composed with Fredbee Norman
"The Gypsy Was Wrong", co-composed with Jimmie Crane
"One Way Ticket To Texas, co-composed with Joseph Meyer and Philip R. Hanna
And, perhaps, 150 other songs, - proving his "Tin Pan Alley" roots.
Hall Johnson
b. March 12, 1888, Athens, GA, USA, d. April 30, 1970, New York, NY, USA. (in a fire)
Working as a composer, Hall wrote for three films:
1942. 'Syncopation' (his original song "Slave Market" was uncredited),
1939. 'Swanee River' ( aka: 'Life of Stephen Foster'; his song "The Mule Song" was uncredited)
1939. 'Fugitive at Large' (again uncredited).
1936. 'Green Pastures' - The (conductor and choral arrangements) Cast included: Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
1937. 'Lost Horizon' - (choral arrangements) Cast included: Ronald Colman
1939. 'Zenobia' - (aka: Elephants Never Forget. Choral arrangements) Cast included: Billie Burke (Mrs. Florenz Ziegfeld); also Hall-Johnosn Choir.
1939. 'Way Down South' - (Choral arrangements) Cast included: Al Jolson.
1941. 'Meet John Doe' - (Choral arrangements) Cast included: Gary Cooper.
1942. 'Tales of Manhattan' - (Vocal arrangements) Cast included: Paul Robeson, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, and Charles Boyer.
1943. 'Cabin in the Sky' - (music arranger) Cast included: Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, and Louis Armstrong.
Michael Jary
b. Sept. 24, 1906, Laurahütte, Upper Silesia, Germany [now Siemianowice Slaskie, Poland], d. July 12, 1988, Munich, Germany.
né: Michael Andreas Jarczyk (some sources say: Max Andreas Jarczyk)
As a young man, this German composer/arranger first wanted to become a missionary, and studied at the Steyler Mission (near Neisse). However, at age 18, he left the missionary and started out on his life's path that would see him become a well known musician. Upon leaving the Mission, he first began to study music at Beuthen's Conservatory. From there, became a choir master in a local church, and soon, his first chamber music compositons were heard over the Gleiwitz radio station. This exposure brought him positions as the 2nd music director at both the municipal theatres of Neisse and Plauen.
Will Jaxon
b. June 23, 1899, New York, NY, USA, d. Feb. 9, 1970
né: William Jason
Currently no information available on this composer and author.
After graduating from high school, he began writing songs for the Hollywood studios. He subsequently collaborated with Val Burton.
"Always You"
"And the Big Bad Wolf Is Dead", collaborated with Val Burton
"Buy a Kiss"
"Dilly Dally"
"If It Isn't Love", collaborated with Val Burton
"Isn't This a Night For Love?"
"It Can Happen to You"
"Josephine"
"Out of the Blue"
"Penthouse Serenade (When We're Alone)", collaborated with Val Burton
"Rhythm in My Heart"
"Romantic"
"Sincerely Yours"
"You Alone"
Jaroslav Jezek
b. Sept. 25, 1906, Prague, Austro-Hungary (later called: Czechoslovakia), d. Jan. 1, 1942. (Kidney illness). Age: 35
Jezek was piano player, composer and arranger, equally skilled in both the Classical and Jazz genres. He worked with actors Jiri Voskovec and Jan Werich (Did, "Svet Patri Nam" and "Ezop A Brabenec"). Jaroslav Jezek died in World War II exile in New York city. He is perhaps best known for the songs he composed for the famous pre-war (Czech) satirical cabaret, the Liberated Theatre, and he was also one of the pioneers of Czech jazz, fearlessly crossing the borders between popular and classical music.
