Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 13, 1925 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

June 5, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Mel Tormé was an American musician, composer, and arranger who was born on September 13, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, and his father was a professional drummer. Tormé showed an early interest in music and began singing in his church choir at the age of three. He also learned to play the drums and piano at a young age. Tormé's musical career began in the 1940s when he joined the Chico Marx Orchestra as a drummer and singer. He later formed his own group, the Mel-Tones, which became popular for their harmonies and vocal arrangements. Tormé's smooth and velvety voice quickly gained him a reputation as one of the best male vocalists of his time. In addition to his singing career, Tormé was also a prolific composer and arranger. He wrote over 250 songs, including the classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," which he co-wrote with Robert Wells. The song has become a holiday standard and has been recorded by countless artists, including Nat King Cole, who had a hit with the song in 1946. Tormé's other notable compositions include "Born to Be Blue," "A Stranger in Town," and "Comin' Home Baby." He also wrote the music for several films, including "The Great American Broadcast" and "Higher and Higher." Tormé's musical style was heavily influenced by jazz, and he often incorporated jazz elements into his compositions and arrangements. He was known for his scat singing and improvisational skills, which he showcased in many of his recordings. Throughout his career, Tormé worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald. He also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Judy Garland Show" and "Night Court." Tormé continued to perform and record music well into his later years. He won a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album "An Evening with George Shearing and Mel Tormé," and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996. Tormé passed away on June 5, 1999, at the age of 73. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential musicians of his time, and his music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans around the world.

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