Mel Torme context

Question 1

His Nickname

Answer 1

The Velvet Frog for his smooth wide-ranging voice

Question 2

Born in and studied

Answer 2

1925 studied piano and drums being part of a band

Question 3

1947

Answer 3

Focused on solo singing and acting career

Question 4

What is Mel Torme swings schubert alley

Answer 4

Collection of recordings he made with leading bands and instrumentalists, produced by pianist and arranger Marty Paich, named after family who led setting up Broadway, shows off Mel’s silky voice, intuitive musicianship and Paich’s big-band arrangments

Question 5

Too Close for comfort

Answer 5

A song that was originally written by Sammy Davis Jr and got turned into a Broadway show (Mr Wonderful) along along with other Davis songs

Question 6

On the street where you live

Answer 6

From ‘My Fair Lady’ it’s a tender love song (Vic Damone does a version), Torme’s version is more upbeat swing number putting his smooth vocal lyrics against the driving rhythms of the band

Question 7

Too Darn Hot

Answer 7

Comes from a Broadway show called ‘Kiss Me Kate’ written by Cole Porter (Kinsey report and uses phrases of the period like pitch the woo meaning kiss and cuddle)

Question 8

Lonely Town

Answer 8

Written by Leonard Bernstein collab with Robbins for a ballet called fiery dance, made into a film but dropped many Bernstein songs so boycotted