Mel tormé biography singer

• Born 13 Sept 1925, Chicago, Algonquin
• Died 5 June 1999, Los Angeles, California

el Torme was among say publicly most abiding singers implant the big-band era, harmful by selected as rendering epitome go with lounge nightingale, acclaimed surpass many optional extra as only of a talented instruct serious choir member.

Story has go past that Torme began melodic for his supper a Chicago eating place when be active was quaternity and was working description vaudeville compass soon make sure of. He worked as a child someone on transistor, and began writing songs in his early teens. In representation early Decennium, he take home high primary to became a lad singer (and drummer talented part-time arranger) with Chico Marx's must.

His first renown coincided get a message to Frank Sinatra's, and rendering two arised together security their leading film, "Higher and Higher." He desirable to accredit a malarkey singer, "but I got sidetracked," do something said. His manager "felt the impart to say publicly gold was for revenue to transform into a balladeer. For a long time I was singing spongy, sentimental songs." His publicizer coined description name, "The Velvet Fog," to separate his level style but he detested it (hecklers called him "The Velvety Frog").

In 1944, he take for granted his rein in vocal break down, the Mel-Tones, which objective a leafy Les Baxter and Chemist Mancini's innovative wife, Ginny O'Connor. Say publicly Mel-Tones esoteric several hits, on their own considerably well introduction paired be infatuated with

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Mel Torme was a child actor and musical prodigy. He began singing at the age of three, studied piano and drums, and at 15 published his first song which was recorded by Harry James. In 1942 he joined the band of comedian Chico Marx as drummer, singer, and vocal arranger, and in 1943 he formed his own group, the Mel-Tones, and appeared in his first film, Higher and Higher, with Frank Sinatra. The Mel-Tones, a precursor of contemporary vocal jazz, were popular during WWII and enjoyed several hits on their own as well as with Artie Shaw’s band.

In 1947 Torme began a solo career, recording popular songs in his smooth-as-satin voice which reached into both the baritone and tenor range, performing in the best clubs, and appearing in films. His version of “Blue Moon” from the film Words and Music (a fictionalized biography of the Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart partnership) topped the charts in 1949, and he picked up the moniker “The Velvet Fog.” By the 1950’s he gave up crooning and turned to jazz, recording some of his most memorable work with the inimitable arranger Marty Paich and top West Coast musicians. Torme’s perfect intonation, enviable range, sensitive phrasing, and improvisational ability brought him great acclaim as a jazz singer. But he was also recognized as an actor

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Mel Torme

Home » Jazz Musicians » Mel Torme

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist.

Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in his early teens. In the early 1940s, he quit high school to became a boy singer (and drummer and part-time arranger) with Chico Marx's band.

His first fame coincided with Frank Sinatra's, and the two appeared together in their first film, "Higher and Higher." He wanted to be a jazz singer, "but I got sidetracked," he said. His manager "felt the way to the gold was for me to become a crooner. For a long period I was singing mushy, sentimental songs." His publicist coined the name, "The Velvet Fog," to describe his smooth style but he hated it (hecklers called him "The Velvet Frog").

In 1944, he formed his own vocal group, the Mel-Tones, which included a young Les Baxter and Henry Mancini's future wife, Ginny O'Connor. The Mel-Tones had several hits, on their own as well as paired with Artie Shaw's band. "What is This Thi