Ballard MacDonald
Currently no information available.
1930 "I'm Following You", Dave Dreyer music. From the Picture 'It's A Great Life'
Eric Maschwitz
b. June 10, 1901, Birmingham, England, UK, d. Oct. 27, 1969, London, England, UK.
aka: Holt Maxwell
Overview:
Here's a photograph of Eric Maschwitz, who is perhaps best known for his collaboration with fellow British lyricist Jack Strachey, and American composer Harry Link. Eric was a British lyricist who received his formal education at two prestigious English schools, -Repton and Cambridge University. He began appearing on the British stage and in 1926 joined the BBC. In 1939, he signed an MGM contract and was brought to Hollywood, CA. His work for MGM included writing the screenplays for such film hits as 'Goodbye My Chips', and 'Queen of Song'. The advent of WW2 found Eric serving in the Briish Intelligence Service. Later he joined the 21st Army Group, serving with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After his discharge from the Armed Forces, he returned to his first love - writing musical comedy shows. In 1958, after his musical comedy successes he rejoined the BBC as head of Light Entertainment - Television, but left in 1963 to join ITV (Independent Televison Network). It should be noted that his very first Radio show was 'In Town Tonight' and his first TV show was 'The Black and White Minstrels'. Eric's first marriage, to actress Hermione Gingold, ended in divorce in 1945. That same year he married Phyllis Gordon.
Among the Works for which Eric wrote lyrics are:
"At The Balalaika", a lovely originally tune sung by Ilona Massey (and Nelson Eddy) in 1939 film 'Balalaika", but played here by the Jack Hylton orchester, with vocal by Bert Yarlett.
"Awake My Heart"
"Carissima"
"Ces Petites Choses"
"Cheeky Parakeet"
"Coster Rumba"
"Dear Little Waltz"
"Fancy Free"
"Good Night Vienna"
"He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings", World War II morale song.
"Hear My Serenade"
"Hold It Joe"
"Hours I Spent With You"
"I Don t Want to Be Hurt Again"
"If the World Were Mine"
"Invitation to the Waltz"
"It's Such a Little Thing"
"It Takes no Time"
"Just Heaven"
"Just Like a Gypsy Band"
"Lazy Day"
"Let the World Go By"
"Little Hut"
"Living in Clover"
"Mademoiselle de Paris"
"Marching Song"
"Mardi Gras"
"Maytime Waltz"
"Mine Alone"
"Music for Romance"
"Nightingale Sang in Barkeley Square", World War II morale song. (Interestingly, Eric wrote
the lyric while serving in the British Intelligence Service during the war.)
"Nitchevo" (from 1939 film 'Balalaika)
"No One Makes Love Like You"
"One Love"
"Rainy Day Refrain"
"Room Five Hundred Four"
"These Foolish Things", - perhaps Eric's biggest hit. For the British stage show "Spread It Abroad".
"Time and Time Again"
"Two in a Gondola"
"Venetian Moon"
"Violins in the Night"
"World Is Mine Tonight"
Herb Magidson
b. 1906, Braddock, Pennsylvania
Overview
Herb Magidson was most active during the 1930's and the 1940's. Among his many credits is the honor of having written the the first Academy Award-winning song,
Brief Chronology:
-----------------
1934 "The Continental"; The first Academy Award-winning song.
1938 "Music, Maestro, Please"
1939 "How Long Has This Been Going On?"
1950 "Enjoy Yourself. It's Later Than You Think"
Matty Malneck
b. Dec. 9, 1903, Newark, NJ, USA. d. Feb. 25, 1981, Hollywood, CA, USA
Violinist and Songwriter.
Overview (See American Big Bands Entry
The Matty Malneck orchestra was a successful band operating during the big band era of the 1930's and 1940's. Matty composed several songs during his
career, mostly with lyricist Johnny Mercer, among which are:
"I'll Never Be The Same"
"Goody Goody"
"I'm Through With Love"
Matty also composed "Park Avenue Fantasy" (for the Paul Whiteman Orch.), from which later "Stairway To The Stars" was adapted. Bob Maxwell - the harpist in Matty Malneck's Octet - composed "Shangri La", a tune later used as the theme for the Reggie van Gleason character, on Jimmy Gleason's famed TV show.
David Mann
b. Oct. 3, 1916, Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. March 1, 2002, New York, NY, USA
né: David Freedman
David was already playing piano, by ear, at age 3 or 4, amazing his family. At age 13, he was playing around Philadelphia, PA and supporting an extended family. He attended the Curtis Institute (in that city), where, when David was graduating,
Leonard Bernstein, was entering, and so the two men became friends. In 1939, he changed his name from Freedman to Mann for the radio station WCAU 'Mann-Irwin Show'. Gene Irwin (né: Isadore Morton Rudy), the son of a grocery store owner, was a childhood friend that Mann knew from his old neighborhood. Gene became an architect, but along the way did write some songs, - two of which met with moderate success, "Five O'Clock Whistle" and "The Widow Brown". (Gene died in the mid 1990s.)
In late 1939, Mann moved to New York City and became a steady Decca Records "session man", playing on everybody's 'cuts' and arranging for them as well. At night, he would go uptown and "jam" with all the greats. David was in Charley Spivak's orchestra , until 1941 when he walked out due to an endless string of dates where the pianos were badly out of tune. He also worked with the Jimmy Dorsey band, singer Gordon Macrae, and Artie Shaw's orchestra. All the while, he was composing, and had an office in the Brill Building (a building in New York City where many composers and music publishers have their offices).
Over his wonderful career, David has written a great many Hit songs including "Dearie", "No Moon at All", "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning", "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell", "Dont Go To Strangers", and many others. ( There's an interesting sidenote to one of David Mann's hits. Bob Shannon of WCBS Radio often recants, "There I've Said it Again" -the Bobby Vinton version of 1963- was the last #1 hit in the USA before The British Invasion. It was knocked out of 1st place by The Beatles' hit "I Want to Hold Your Hand".)
During World War 2, Mann joined the U.S. Army, where he was also seen in his various movie roles as pianist with Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey. Upon his discharge from the army in 1945, the Army had the honor of placing one of their own, at the behest of the White House, as personal pianist to President Truman. That honor was usually reserved for a Navy man. David Mann served for less than a year in that position, but spent many evenings sitting at the elbow of President Truman while Truman was playing poker (Truman would say that David was bringing him luck), and David also spent many evenings playing piano on the SS Williamsburg, formerly the Nourmahal, owned by the Astors.
Mann appeared in the films: 'Twenty Grand', 'I Dood It', 'Four Jills and A Jeep', 'Pin-Up Girl', and (during his Artie Shaw days) 'Second Chorus', starring Fred Astaire, Burgess Meridith and Paulette Goddard and Shaw's orchestra. He went to Hollywood in the 1950's where he composed the scores for three Disney Nature Series films, -'The Living Desert', 'Water Birds' and 'Seal Island'. After that two year stint in Hollywood, New York called him back. It was then that he collaborated with lyricist Bob Hilliard on perhaps his biggest hit, "In The Wee Small Hours". They had written the song while driving up Broadway, and spotted Frank Sinatra on the street. The singer was in a receptive mood that day and they got him up to a piano room and demonstrated the tune. Redd Evans was one of the best pluggers in the business was there, and Sinatra listened and calmly locked the door and said, "Fellas, this is my kinda song..." Nelson Riddle's arrangement set the tone for Sinatra's album.
In private correspondence, Mr. Samuel Mann, David's son, remembered, "My parents met in the Brill building. Mother was to secretary Redd Evans (his firm was Jefferson Music Corp.), and she later worked for Shapiro Bernstein Music Publishers. They married in 1963, just as "their" music was fading out, and I was born in New Jersey in 1965. That was pretty much the end of the line for my dad in the music business until 1993's 'Sleepless in Seattle', which used the Carly Simon version of "Wee Small Hours". That song enjoyed a tremendous resurgence with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, The Sinatra Duets Album No 1, and just recently (2001), Barry Manilow did it on his tribute album."
Among the other songs composed by David A. Mann, are:
"Abbreviation Song, The", with Bob Hilliard
"Aggravatin' Situation", with Gene Irwin and Bickley S. Reichner
"All I Want is Everything", with Redd Evans
"Apple", with Bob Hilliard
"Baby Come Home", with Jack Murray
"Boutonniere", with Bob Hilliard
"Castanets and Lace", with Bob Hilliard and Milton Leeds
"Castles in the Sand", with Bob Hilliard
"Champagne", with Al Stillman
"Cocker Spaniel Polka", with Bob Hilliard
"Come Down to Earth Mr Smith", with Jack Murray
"Dearie", with Bob Hilliard
"Don't Go To Strangers", with Redd Evans and Arthur Kent
"Down in Nashville Tennessee", with Bob Hilliard
"Downhearted", with Bob Hilliard
"Downhill", with Bob Hilliard
"Elegy", orig. by Louis Marie A. Gallet, Jules Emile F. Massenet; with both
David Mann and Charlie Spivak credited with the modern version.
"Genius at Work", with Jimmy Dorsey also credited
"Gentle Lover", words/music by David A. Mann
"Golden Roses and Silver", with Bob Hilliard
"Hot Meat Blue Plate Special", with J. Francis Burke and Mack David
"How Come the Mortgage Ain't Paid", with Bob Hilliard and Steve Nelson
"I'de Wanna Walk Right", with Buddy Kaye
"I Hate You", with Jack Murray
"I Like Stinky Cheese", with Mart Fryberg
"I'll Sing to You", with Tolchard Evans and Harold Simpson
"I'm Gonna Go Back Home", with Redd Evans
"I'm in Favor of Friendship", with Bob Hilliard
"I've Only Myself to Blame", with Redd Evans
"I Went Down to Virginia", with Redd Evans
"In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning", with Bob Hilliard
"In Your Loving Care", with Bob Hilliard
"It Might As Well Rain", with Mack Discant
"Jealous Eyes", with Bob Hilliard
"Just for the Bridegroom", with Bob Hilliard
"Just Got to Have Him Around", with Redd Evans
"King's Alley", with Gerhard Winkler
"Let's Have a Party", with Bob Hilliard
"Lolly Lolly Loo", with Maurice Sigler
"Long Distance Love", with Bob Hilliard
"Look Out the Window", with Bob Hilliard
"Love Mystery Adventure", with Bob Hilliard
"Made Up My Mind", with Redd Evans
"Mile Down the Highway", with Bob Hilliard
"My Baby is Blue", with Jeanne Burns and Redd Evans
"No Moon at All", with Redd Evans
"No Well on Earth", with Bob Hilliard
"Old Familiar Love Song, An", with Bob Hilliard
"Only Man on the Island", with Bob Hilliard
"Passing Fancy, A", with Bob Hilliard
"Peter Platypus", with Leo G. Diamond
"Rhyme Your Name", with Redd Evans
"Roses Roses Roses", with Bob Hilliard
"Smorgasbord at a Party", with Bob Hilliard
"Solid as a Rock", with Bob Hilliard
"Somebody Bad Stole de Wedding Bell", with Bob Hilliard
"Something Made Me Wait", with Jack Murray
"Song and Dance Man", with Bob Hilliard
"Southern Cross, The", with Bob Hilliard
"Sweet Forgiveness", with Bob Hilliard
"Take Me With You", - David A. Mann words/music
"There I've Said It Again", with Redd Evans
"These Will be The Best of Times", with Bob Hilliard
"Tiptoe", with Buck Ram
"Trust My Foolish Heart", with Claudia Carson and Virginia Johnson
"You Dance With Me", with Jack Murray
Very happily, David Mann is still with us (Feb. 2001). He still composes, plays his piano about the house and even writes an editorial for a local newspaper. He is 84.
Footnote:
Sadly, David Mann passed away on March 1, 2002, at 5:32 PM from complications due to Pneumonia and Kidney Failure. The world will miss this fine musician, even as it continues to sing his songs.
The BigBands Database thanks Mr. Samuel Mann, David Mann's son, who so kindly furnished the above information on his very famous father.
Joe Manne
Currently no information available for this lyricist.
1919 "Meet Me In Bubble Land", co-lyricist with Caspar Nathan, music by
Isham Jones.
Canache Armando Manzanero
Currently no information available
"It's Impossible", Music by Canache Armando Manzanero and lyrics by Sid Wayne
"Yesterday I Heard the Rain", Music by Canache Armando Manzanero and lyrics by Gene Lees
Edward B. Marks
b. 1865, d. 1945
In 1892, He and Joe Stern formed music publishing firm of Joseph W. Stern and Company. Marks omitted his name because he did not want to jeopardize his main job as a sewing supplies salesman. (Marks' main employment was as a sewing hooks and buttons salesman and Stern was a necktie salesman.) In his book, 'They All Sang', Marks said that "Joe could play the piano with one hand and fake around with the music with the other like nobody's business, but he (Marks) hadn't fooled around with the music end of the game...I didn't play any instrument and I can carry a tune a little farther than Equipoise (race horse) can carry the Empire State Building.....Where there was a wedding or birthday party in the family, I used to write rhymes for the occasion, Sometimes I even won little prizes for verses."
Later in the book, Marks said:
"A publisher had to know his way about the night spots. It was important to get his wares before the bibulous public, so he had to spend a large part of his time making the rounds for plugs and more plugs.....Sixty Joints a week I used to make: Joe Stern, my partner, covered forty. What's more, we did it every week."
One day George Thomas, a Brooklyn theater electrician visited Marks and Stern. He had been experimenting with flashing a slide on a screen while a vocalist sang a song. The firm decided to use him to make slides for their song "The Little Lost Child". In 1894, thiese were exhibited for the very first time by the Primrose and West Minstrels. The idea was so successful that the De Witt C. Wheeler Company went into production making slides for all the great singers of the day. Many entertainers got their start in show business on these slides, including such future stars as Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, and Georgie Jessel. Originally the slides were given freely to theater owners, but later publishers charged for them.
Whenever he was free, Marks would hang about 14th Street with the actors and songwriters that were there (14th Street was a big theater area).
Among Marks' early works were:
"Since McManus Went Down to the Track". -This song was a success for Polly
Holmes who sang it at Tony Pastor's 14th St. theater. The succes of this
song launched Marks on his music career.
"Break The News To Mother Gently", music by Will H. Fox.
"I'de Live Life Over In The Same Old Way", Fox collab.
"December and May", music by William Lorraine. A Hit! (first of the
'December-May type of song) Lydia Yeamms sang it on stage of Tony Pastor's
theater. After this hit, he and Stern went into partnership. They were the
first firm to use a full time music salesman on the road.
"The Little Lost Child", Marks and Stern. Their first hit song. This song
sold over 2 million copies of sheet music and made it possible for the two
men to get out of selling sewing supplies and necties.
Among the songs published (NOT written by the two men are:
1893 "Those Lost Happy Days", by Leo Feist. When Stern and Marks would not
make Feist a partner, he began peddling his own songs by himself, and thus
was one of Tin Pan Alley's most famous publishing house born, called
Leo Feist, Inc. (His slogan was "You Can't Go Wrong With A Leo Feist Song.)
1895 "Down in Poverty Row", music by Gussie Davis.
1895 "My Best Girl's A New Yorker", by John Stromberg. (He later wrote of
the music for the Weber and Fields shows.) The manuscript to this song was
in Stromberg's pocket when he committed suicide in 1902, depressed over bad
health.
1896 "Don't GIve Up the Old Love for the new", James Thornton.
You're Not The Only Pebble on the Beach", Harry Braisted and Stanley Carter.
"She Was Bred in Old Kentucky", Braisted and Carter.
1896 Sweet Rosie O'Grady", Maude Nugent. They bought the song for $100.
It is now generally believed that Maude never wrote the song. It was probably
written by her husband, Billy Jerome, who allowed his wife to call it her own.
1897
"There's A Little Star Shining For You". James Thornton.
"Take Back Your Gold", Monroe Rosenfeld.
1898 "The Moth and the Flame", Max S. Witt. (their company manager)
1918
"The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady", Lyric Monty C. Brice, and music by Walter
Donaldson.
It became a Pat Rooney specialty (he did a waltz 'clog' dance to it.)
In 1904, a young Jerome Kern went to work for the Lyceum Music Company, a subsidiary of the Jos. W. Stern Company. His pay was $7.00 a week, and the job was to make out the Bills and Invoices. (Kern then went to work for Shapiro-Bernstein as a songplugger and got $9.00 a week.)
In 1912, L. Wolfe Gilbert was working as a lyricist for the Jos. W. Stern Company. Wolfie often heard a young Sigmund Romberg leading a salon orchestra at Bustanoby's (a famous NYC restaurant). Time after time, the diners would get up from the dinner table to dance to some of the songs that Romberg's band was playing. Due greatly to Romberg's arrangements, salon music began to give way to 'Dance Music'. It was Wolfie Gilbert who urged Romberg to begin writing dance music. Among the first songs that Romberg gave to Marks and Stern to publish were:
"Leg O' Mutton", a turkey trot song.
"Some Smoke", a two-step dance.
"Poem"
(All three songs were published my Jos. W. Stern Co., in 1913.
The dancing craze that Romberg had encouraged, was to change him from being an orchestra leader into being a composer.
George Marion, Jr.
b. Aug. 30, 1899, Boston, Mass, d. Feb. 25, 1968
Overview
Screenwriter, Lyricist and Librettist George Marion, Jr. was educated first at La Villa School, Lausanne, Switzerland, and later at Harvard University, in Boston, Massachusetts. In the late 1920s. Marion was in Hollywood, writing film scenarios for such films as 'Love Me Tonight' and 'The Big Broadcast'. In the 1940's, Marion's work for Broadway shows encompassed librettos and scores including: 'Beat the Band' and 'Marinka'. He was also a Librettist for the musical, 'Too Many Girls.' Among his chief collaborators are Thomas "Fats" Waller, Richard A. Whiting, Johnny Green, Emmerich Kalman, and Sammy Fain.
With the introduction of Sound films, Marion found work in the Hollywood studios, where he often collaborated with composer Richard A. Whiting. The 1929 Paramount film 'Sweetie', introduced the song "My Sweeter Than Sweet", with Marion's lyric and Richard Whiting's music. It was sung by Nancy Carroll. While the 1930 Paramount film, 'Safety In Numbers' had another tune with Marion's lyrics, "My Future Just Passed".
The 1930 Paramount Musical Comedy film, 'Safety In Numbers', starred Charles "Buddy" Rogers and was directed by Victor Schertzinger. Richard A. Whiting
wrote the music, while George Marion, Jr. wrote the words.
"My Future Just Passed"
"The Pick Up"
"You Appeal To me"
"Do You Play, Madame?"
"A Bee in Your Boudoir"
"Business Girl"
"Pepola (cut)"
Another 1930 Paramount Picture ,'Follow Thru,' starred Charles Rogers, Nancy Carroll, Zelma O'Neal and Jack Haley:
"A Peach of A Pair", Marion's lyric, Richard A. Whiting music
The 1930 Paramount-Publix Picture, 'Let's Go Native', was an original Farce written by George Marion, Jr., and Percy Heath. Here again, Marion wrote
the lyrics to Richard A Whiting's music.
"It Seems to be Spring"
"Let's Go Native"
"My Mad Moment"
"I've Gotta Yen for You"
"Joe Jazz"
"Don't I Do?"
The 1930 Paramount Picture, 'Sea Legs', starred Jack Oakie, Lillian Roth, Harry
Green and Eugene Pallette
"This Must Be Illegal (It's So Nice)", George Marion, Jr. lyric, music Ralph Rainger and W. Franke Harling.
The 1933 Fox film 'Adorable' starred Janet Gaynor and Henry Garat, and was directed by Wilhelm Dieterle. Again, the words were by George Marion, Jr.,
and the music was by Richard A. Whiting.
"Adorable"
"My First love to Last"
" My Heart's Desire"
On October 18, 1939, the Broadway musical, 'Too Many Girls', opened at New York's Imperial Theatre, and ran for 249 performances. The music was by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and book by George Marion, Jr.
The 1942 Broadway show, 'Beat The Band', had the following songs with George Marion, Jr. lyrics, and Johnny Green's music.
"America Loves a Band"
"Break It Up"
"Down Through the Agents"
"Every Other Heartbeat"
"Free, Cute and Size 14"
"I'm Physical, You're Cultured"
"Keep It Casual"
"Let's Comb Beaches"
"Men"
"Proud of You"
"Song of the Islands"
"The Four Freedoms"
"The Steam Is On The Beam"
On June 17, 1943, the musical 'Early to Bed', opened in New York's Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 380 performances. The show had music by Thomas "Fats" Waller, with Lyrics and Book by George Marion, Jr.
"A Girl Who Doesn't Ripple When She Bends"
"There's a Man in My life"
"Me and My Old World Charm"
"Supple Couple"
"Slightly Less Than Wonderful"
"This is So Nice (It Must be Illegal)"
"The Ladies Who Sing With the Band"
"There's Yes in the Air (in Martinique)"
"Get Away, Young Man"
"Long Time No Song"
"Early to Bed"
"When the Nylons Bloom Again"
"Hi-De-Ho-High (in Harlem)"
The 1945 musical show 'Toplitzky of Notre Dame', had book and lyrics by George Marion, Jr. and music by Sammy Fain ('The Crooning Composer').
"Love is a Random Thing"
"You Are My Down Fall"
"Let us Gather at the Goal"
"I Wanna Go to City College"
On July 18, 1945, the musical 'Marinka' opened in New York's famed Winter Garden theatre, -moving to the Barrymore Theatre on 1 October 1945. The show starred Joan Roberts, Harry Stockwell, and Luba Malina. The Book was by George Marion, Jr. and Karl Farkas. Emmerich Kalman composed the music
while George Marion, Jr. supplied the lyrics.
"Cab Song"
"Turn on the Charm"
"Treat a Woman Like a Drum"
"One Touch of Vienna"
"Sigh by Night"
"One Last Love Song"
"Rudolf's Narrative (I Admit)"
"When I Auditioned for the Harem of the Shah"
"Old Man Danube"
"If I Never Waltz Again"
In 1954, 'Arabian Nights' was staged at the New York City Jones Beach 'Amphitheatre',(Long Island, NY). Produced by famed bandleader Guy Lombardo, the show had music and lyrics by Carmen Lombardo and John Jacob Loeb. The 'Book' was by George Marion, Jr. The show first ran from June 24, 1954 through the 'Labor Day' holiday weekend, and then re-opened (still at the Jones Beach Marine Theatre) June 23, 1955, and again ran through Labor Day,. The original cast included Lauritz Melchior, Helena Scott, Ralph Herbert. (The songs were were released on a 10-inch Decca LP DL-5542.)
The Broadway Show 'Ain't Misbehavin', with music mostly by Thomas "Fats" Waller, included following songs; words. George Marion, Jr, music. Thomas "Fats" Waller:
"The Ladies Who Sing with the Band"
"When the Nylons Bloom Again"
George Marion, Jr., passed away in 1968, at age 69.
The BigBands Database wishes to thank Mr. Reg Fulton who graciously supplied this information on George Marion, Jr.
Gerald Marks
b. 1900, Saginaw, MI, USA, d. Jan. 27, 1997 New York, NY, USA.
Overview
(When I first wrote this, Gerry was alive and well (1996) and living in New York City, where he often appeared at meetings of the 'Sheet Music Society'.) During his long career, he not only wrote music, but also led a successful orchestra. He contributed music to the scores of four Broadway shows including the Ziefgeld Follies, and for such campaigns as school safety and World War II government bond sales.
Among Gerald Marks's famous compositions are:
1931 "All of Me", lyric by Seymour Simons. Recorded by such stars as
Louis Armstrong; Willie Nelson; Billie Holiday; Frank Sinatra, and Count
Basie, among many others.
1935 "Old Susannah, Dust Off That Old Piana", Lyric by Caesar and Lerner.
1936 "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?", with lyric by Irving Caesar and Sammy Lerner.
It became a hit for Al Jolson, and also for Rudy Vallee.
1936 "I Don't Know Your Name, But You're Beautiful", lyric Irving Caesar and Sammy Lerner
There are at least two books extant that have music by Gerald Marks. One is 'Irving Caesar's Sing A Song of Safety', lyrics by Irving Caesar and the music by Gerald. The other is 'The Little Rag Doll with the Shoe Button Eyes', by Gertrude Hallenbeck. The first book is a child's safety teaching book, while the second book is a children's dance routine with the music by Marks in collaboration with Milton Pascal.
Up until 1991, Gerald was giving college lectures about his experiences in writing music for 'Tin Pan Alley'. And, at the time of his death, he was engaged in writing a book tentatively entitled 'What I Found in The Alley.' In 1996, he wrote a song called "At My Age, Why Ask?", and would sing it for friends who called asking about his health.
Johnny Marks
b. 1909, Mount Vernon, New York
Overview
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is Composer-lyricist Johnny Marks's most famous song. It became a hit when Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy, recorded
the song.
Hugh Martin
b. August 11, 1914, Birmingham, Alabama
Most of Hugh Martin's songs were written from 1941 through 1964.
Hugh began his piano studies at age five at the Birmingham Conservatory, with Edna Gussen. Later on in life, he studied with Dorsey Whittington. His studies were oriented to guide him into a classical music career, but when Hugh heard the music of George Gershwin, he made popular music his choice.
In 1937, he sang in the Broadway show 'Hooray for What'. A little later, he formed his own vocal quartet 'The Martins'. This group appeared on the Fred Allen Radio Show, and also in the Irving Berlin play 'Louisiana Purchase'. One member of 'The Martins' was Ralph Blane. Blane was destined to become the lyricist of the team of Martin and Blane. But it is interesting to note that early in this team's collaboration, they decided that all of their songs would bear the credits "Words and Music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane".
In the mid 1930's, Martin had moved to New York City where he found work as a vocal arranger for some very successful
Broadway shows, including:
'The Boys from Syracuse', Rodgers and Hart Score.
'Top Banana'
'High Button Shoes' (1947)
'Cabin in the Sky', Vernon Duke score (1940)
'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', (1949)
'Du Barry Was a Lady', Cole Porter score (1939)
In 1941, Richard Rodgers, the unlisted producer (the team of Rodgers and Hart was ending. See 'Rodgers' Entry.), and George Abbott the director, engaged Martin and Blane to write the complete score of a new Broadway musical called 'Best Foot Forward', starring Nancy Walker. Hit songs included;
"Buckle Down Winsocki"
"Wish I May"
"What Do You Think I Am?"
"Ev'ry Time"
In 1942, MGM hired the Martin and Blane team to write the score for the film, 'Meet Me In St. Louis', starring Judy Garland. Some of the hits were:
"The Boy Next Door"
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
"The Trolley Song"
A couple of their songs were interpolated into some Broadway shows.
In the Ziegfeld Follies, Lena Horne sang "Love".
The Show 'Good News' had their song "Pass That Peace Pipe".
1948 After his discharge from the U.S.Army at the end of WW2, Martin wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway show 'Look Ma, I'm Dancin'', starring
Nancy Walker. Songs included:
"Gotta Dance"
"I'm the First Girl in the Second Row"
"Tiny Room"
1950 Martin wrote the music for a Movie short subject entitled 'Grandma Moses'.
Alec Wilder created the "New England Suite" from this show.
1951 Martin wrote words and music for the Broadway show 'Make a Wish'. This was
an adaptation of Ferenc Molnar's 'The Good Fairy'.
1952 Martin Scored the London musical show 'Love From Judy', with Jeanne Carson
in her first starring role.
From 1954 on, Martin has been an arranger and vocal director for a great many shows, including:
For the Film, 'A Star Is Born'
For TV's Hallmark Hall of Fame Show, 'Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates'. Martin
wrote both the words and music for this show.
For the TV Show, 'Patrice Munsel Show'
For the TV Show, 'Washington Square', starring Ray Bolger
The stars for which Hugh Martin has served as a vocal coach, include: Ray Bolger; Lena Horne; Judy Garland; Rosalind Russell, and Nanette Fabray
Arie Maasland
b. 1908, Rotterdam, Holland, d. November 22, 1980, Bussum, Holland. Age: 72.
NOTE: Massland used the name of 'A. Malando' over most of his career, and when he composed his beautiful Tango "Olé Guapa", and others. He worked as both a composer, and orchestra leader.
At age 6, he began to study the piano under the tutelege of a local Rotterdam teacher, Jan Kriek, and already as a middle schoolboy he formed an orchestra. He continued his music studies, practical and theoretical, and in 1939, he formed his own sextet, 'The Jumping Jacks', that played in the local venues of Rotterdam. At the time, he was playing the accordion. He was also writing a number of compositions for the group.
The Tango was the big musical trend at that time, and Maasland became interested in the form when he heard the Argentinian orchestra of Eduardo Bianco, then touring Europe and the Netherlands. It is interesting to note that in Germany, the Tango -music that was linked with poverty and protest, had been stripped of all feelings of pain, loneliness and longing, -the very elements on which the music had been founded. Maasland's Tango compositions kept these elements. and his music was created in a continental style with a place for rhythm and a melodious form that was good for both dancing and listening pleasure.
In 1935, he composed his first Tango, "Annie". Listen now to his fourth Tango, "Ole Guapa", (622kb) which brought him worldwide acclaim. The fast success of "Ole Guapa" was quite remarkable because it was a composition of a then unknown musician, working only with his own local orchestra without even the benefit of broadcasting on Hilversum radio. This song, and Melle Weersma's "Penny Serenade" (1939) are perhaps still the best known (internationally) 'Dutch' compositions.
His fame increased after "Ole Guapa", and he formed a quintet on July 1, 1939. Of the five men, three were original 'Jumping Jacks': Ben Rodenhuis (violin), Rinus de Recht (violin), clarinet and some vocals) and accordionist-leader Maasland, -now using the name of A. Malando. There were some problems with his radio broadcasts by Nederlandsche Broadcasting service, but his biggest problem came in 1944, when the occupying Germans called him for labor in Germany. He refused, was arrested, but escaped (with two of his orchestra members) while being transported to camp Amersfoort. During the War years, he also composed "Cornelita" and "Guapita" (both 1940) and the rumba "Manolita" (1943).
The orchestra did continue, with Maasland playing the accordion as a duo with Jan Gorissen. During 1947 and 1960, other men joined the band including Willy Langestraat, Dick Wiersema and Frans Wanders (bassist, but also as a singer). In 1946, the band received a contract from VARA (TV), and soon all kinds of less well-known instruments such as timbaal, bongo and maracas were being featured. ( Maasland continued to compose, including "Noche de Estrellas" (a tango, 1947), "Rambla de Flores" (a paso doble, 1951), "Campanillas" (a tango, 1955), and "Con Sentimento" (a tango, 1957).
The orchestra was now heard not only in the Netherlands, but on various radio programs, concerts, and recordings in the surrounding countries. His music was used in many dancing schools. From December 1946 up to February 1947, the orchestra, with Lou Bandy, toured to Indonesia playing for the Dutch soldiers. Later, he toured Europe many times, especially Germany and Belgium.
In November 1964, Maasland first toured to Japan, where his music had become extremely popular, He would return many other times. Sometimes, the orchestra was led by Evert Overweg, Maasland's son in law, who was widely recorded (over 100 times) in Japan. Maasland was now popular throughout the whole world, including South-America and Eastern Europe, -such fame for a Dutch musician was a scarcity.
Encouraged by all this success, Malando's repertoire also grew to include other genres. He composed three Classical suites, among others, that were played by some symphony orchestras. some folk songs, and operettas. Originally, Maasland did his own arrangements, but now he used Henk van Stiphout, a very competent arranger. His orchestra also changed, at times recording with up to 40 musicians.
Now, late in his career, his radio programmes frequently used old pre-recordings, and only a few new numbers were ordered, the last time on January 9, 1978, when the Orchestra Malando played a tango of Astor Piazzolla, "Verano Portena". On May 23, 1979, he ended his career with a farewell on his VARA-television show. Now, Malando's own orchestra ceased to exist. Only his old recordings were being played.
During his career, he received many awards. In 1959, he received in Pavia, Italy, the "Oscar Mondiale" as best accordion orchestra in the world. In 1964, he received the Edison Award, and two years later the "Gouden Harp" of the Conamus foundation. In 1968, he paid a successful visit to Argentina, the 'home' country of the tango, where local accordionists found it difficult to imitate his playing. In 1973, he got a royal "onderscheiding".
This entry for Arie Maasland is based on research done by Frans Oudejans for his entry in: Biographical Dictionary of the Netherlands 3 (The Hague 1989)