Mel Tormé Flashcards
why was Tormé sometimes known as “The Velvet Frog”
smooth, wide ranging code
what was his profession?
musician and actor who came to prominence in the 1940s and successful till 1990s
where was his born and what instruments did he study?
1925, Chicago, piano and drums at the age of 3
which bands was he in?
, joining the bar of Chico Marx as singer and drummer in 1942 and later formed The Mel-Tones which often appeared with Artie Shaws band
how did he focus on his career?
1947 focused on solo singing and acting career, performing in leading jazz clubs and appearing in numerous films and TV show’s, alongside greats as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland
what was one of his hits?
version of Rodger’s and Hart’s “Blue Moon”
what huge hit did he compose?
“The Christmas song” which was a huge hit for Nat “King” Cole in 1946
who was he a writer for?
wrote a number of books including biographies of other leading musicians
who produced Mel Tormé Swings Schubert Alley?
1960, by pianist and arranger Marty Paich
where is Shubert Alley?
connects 44th and 45th Streets in New York’s Broadway Theatre district
who is shubert alley named after?
the Shuberts, a prominent family who dominated the a New York theatre scene in the early 20th century. they effectively established the Broadway District , owning numerous theatres and producing hundreds of shows
why is the albulm considered one of the great homages to Broadway?
Silky voice, intuitive musicianship, and Paich’s big band swing arrangements
where does “too close for comfort” come from?
a new show at Broadway Theatre called Mr Wonderful, starring legendary performer Sammy David Jr, tying together a loose plot about an entertaining struggling in the show business world
Too Close for Comfirt: time signature
4/4 in an up tempo swing style, 32 bar song form
Too Close For Comfort 32 bar song form is a…
foundation for a much looser approach, adding bars and inserting a middle section, containing new melody and lyrics
