Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

May 2, 1915 in New York City, NY

Death

:

July 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Van Alexander was an American composer, arranger, and bandleader who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 2, 1915, in New York City, Alexander grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Alexander began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Alexander's musical career began in the 1930s when he started playing in various bands in New York City. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented arranger and composer, and his skills caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the music industry. In 1938, he joined the Benny Goodman Orchestra as an arranger and pianist. He worked with Goodman for several years, arranging some of the band's most famous songs, including "King Porter Stomp" and "Don't Be That Way." In the 1940s, Alexander formed his own band, the Van Alexander Orchestra. The band quickly gained popularity and became known for its swing and big band sound. Alexander's arrangements were innovative and unique, and he was known for his ability to blend different musical styles. The Van Alexander Orchestra recorded several hit songs, including "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which was a hit for Ella Fitzgerald. Alexander's career continued to flourish in the 1950s and 1960s. He worked as a composer and arranger for several television shows, including "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show" and "The Red Skelton Show." He also composed music for several films, including "The Atomic Kid" and "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T." One of Alexander's most significant achievements was his work on the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1960, was a huge success and won several Tony Awards. Alexander arranged the music for the show and wrote the song "Put on a Happy Face," which became one of the show's most famous songs. Throughout his career, Alexander received several awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1985, he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. In 1996, he received the Golden Score Award from the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. In 2002, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Alexander continued to work in the music industry until his death in 2015 at the age of 100. His contributions to the world of classical music were significant, and his innovative arrangements and compositions continue to inspire musicians today.

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