MITCH MILLER

MITCH MILLER Mitch Miller was born in Rochester, New York, on July 4, 1911. He took piano lessons but soon switched to the oboe. After graduating in music, he began his career working for the CBS Symphony Orchestra. After recording…

WHEN RANDY MET FRANKIE

When Randy met Frankie By Mahnuel Muñoz Speaking to “Uncut” magazine in 2019, singer-songwriter Randy Newman (1943) recalled that he once had the opportunity to work with Frank Sinatra. Supposedly, the timeless, laid-back qualities of Newman’s music could endear him…

I’LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN

“I’LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN”Frank Sinatra’s first number 1 and the origins of the charts. By Mahnuel Muñoz HISTORIC CONTEXT In 1940 in the United States he danced and hugged to the sounds of the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Artie…

LEO ROBIN

LEO ROBIN By Mahnuel Muñoz Leo Robin was born on April 6, 1900 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and at Carnegie Tech’s theater school. After graduating, he worked as an advertising agent,…

GORDON JENKINS

GORDON JENKINS By Mahnuel Muñoz On May 12, 1910, Gordon Jenkins, the Master of Orchestral Exuberance, was born. His arrangements may seem anachronistic to many modern ears, but they were an essential part of the popular musical sound of the…

RICHARD RODGERS

RICHARD RODGERS By Mahnuel Muñoz Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) was the most successful composer of the Great American Songbook. Over the course of a 60-year career, he wrote the scores for 42 musicals performed on Broadway or in the West End,…