Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

April 3, 1919 in New York City, NY

Death

:

March 30, 1981 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Sherman Edwards was an American composer and lyricist who was born on April 4, 1919, in New York City. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and grew up in a working-class family. Edwards showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition and orchestration. After completing his studies, Edwards began working as a songwriter and arranger for various radio and television programs. He also wrote songs for popular singers of the time, including Perry Como and Tony Bennett. In the 1950s, Edwards began writing music for Broadway shows. His first major success came in 1958 with the musical "New Girl in Town," which was based on the play "Anna Christie" by Eugene O'Neill. The show featured songs such as "It's Good to Be Alive" and "On the Farm." Edwards' biggest success came in 1962 with the musical "1776," which tells the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The show featured songs such as "Sit Down, John," "The Lees of Old Virginia," and "Molasses to Rum." "1776" won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was later adapted into a film in 1972. In addition to his work on Broadway, Edwards also wrote music for films and television. He wrote the score for the 1965 film "The Night of the Iguana," which was directed by John Huston and starred Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. He also wrote the theme song for the television series "Ben Casey," which aired from 1961 to 1966. Edwards' music was known for its catchy melodies and clever lyrics. He often used humor and satire in his songs to comment on social and political issues of the time. His music was also notable for its use of traditional American musical styles, such as folk and gospel music. Despite his success as a composer, Edwards struggled with health problems throughout his life. He suffered from diabetes and heart disease, and died on March 30, 1981, at the age of 61. In conclusion, Sherman Edwards was a talented composer and lyricist who made significant contributions to American music. His work on Broadway, in films, and on television helped to shape the musical landscape of the 20th century.

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