John Serry, Sr.
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John Serry Sr. (1915 - 2003) - born Giovanni Serrapica, was a distinguished concert accordionist, arranger, composer, organist and music educator who achieved prominence through his live performances on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) network.
Biography
Born in Brooklyn, New York of Italian-American parents (Pasquale Serrapica and Anna Balestrieri of Campagna, Italy), John Serry Sr. pursued a remarkable artistic career which spanned over seven decades. As a leading exponent of Latin American music and the free bass accordion, he attained prominence through live radio and television performances on the CBS network which were broadcast to millions of listeners coast to coast. In addition, he earned widespread acclaim as the featured soloist on the popular radio program Viva America, which was broadcast live to South America under the United States Department of State's Office for Inter-American Affairs' (OCIAA) cultural initiative ("Good Neighbor Policy") during World War II. As a member of the CBS Pan American Orchestra (1940-1948) and the CBS Columbia Concert Orchestra (1940-1948) he achieved national recognition as a professional concert accordionist and featured soloist. Several of his historic broadcasts on the CBS network are available to researchers and members of the general public as part of the permanent archive collection of the prestigious Museum of Television & Radio [link] in New York. His professional studies were pursued with the renowned 20th century composer and music educator Robert Strassburg (1915 - 2003)[link] and the noted theater organist Arthur Guttow.
Through his extensive concert engagements over a forty year period, John Serry Sr. elevated the performance standards for his instrument at some of the nation's premier concert venues including: The New York State Theater at Lincoln Center (1969); Town Hall (1942); Carnegie Hall (1940s); The Empire Theater in New York (1953); The Majestic Theatre (1968); The Broadway Theater (1968); The Ed Sullivan Theater (1950s); The Plaza Hotel (1940's); Radio City Music Hall (1933); The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center (1930s); The Star Light Roof at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (1930s) and such exclusive New York society nightspots as: El Morocco; El Chico and The Riviera in the 1930s.
In 1940 Mr. Serry designed and perfected a unique Free Bass accordion system which was based upon the chromatic scale. It featured dual keyboards for the left hand and incorporated the traditional fingering utilized on the piano. These keyboards accessed two sets of reeds which were tuned in octaves and provided a range of tones which exceeded three and a half octaves. They were designed to be coupled and provided independent access for the thumb and the remaining fingers of the performer's left hand. This design liberated the artist from the fixed chord structure which characterized the Stradella Bass system and facilitated the performance of classical compositions.
As a composer and arranger John Serry Sr. recorded an LP album of original compositions and popular music for Dot Records (Squeeze Play 1956 (DLP3024) [link] See Billboard's Music Popularity Charts - Reviews & Ratings of New Popular Albums, Nov. 1956, Pg. 22) and a second LP for RCA Thesaurus (1954) with Ben Selvin as musical director. These recordings featured Mr. Serry's ensemble The Bel-Cordions which included the noted accordionist Louis Delmonte. In addition, he recorded his composition "Leone Jump" for a 45 RPM record which was featured in jukeboxes nationwide during the 1950s[link]
In his role as a music educator, John Serry Sr. founded and operated a successful music studio in Manhattan and on Long Island, New York for over thirty years (1945 - 1980s). Many of his pupils emerged in later years as noted artists including: Gene Ettore, Bob Creash, Ralph Vetro and Robert Davine[link]- the internationally acclaimed concert virtuoso and music educator of the Lamont School of Music at The University of Denver.
John Serry Sr. also enjoyed a remarkable thirty-five year tenure performing as a respected free-lance organist at the Interfaith Chapel on the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, New York. In this capacity he specialized as both a composer and performer of interfaith liturgical music (1968 - 2002).
Concert Artistry
In the course of his artistic endeavors, John Serry Sr. gave expression to a refined poetic artistry which illustrated the unique orchestral sound of the free bass accordion. In the process, he established lofty performance standards which demonstrated the accordion's potential as both a legitimate member of the orchestral ensemble and a serious solo instrument suitable for the concert hall stage. This professionalism was also reflected in his advanced compositions, which embody several American musical genres including Symphonic Jazz and illustrate his keen interest in the works of George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel. On the organ, his performances were conducted in the polished style of the American theater organ popularized during the 1930s and the 1940s.
As a modest and unassuming professional, John Serry Sr. upheld a high standard of musicianship and a strong disregard for the flamboyant "performance techniques" employed by many of the popular entertainers of the day. His unique artistic vision and passion for excellence garnered considerable respect for his "orphaned instrument" among many of the top ranked conductors and musicians of his era. In the process, he acquired widespread acclaim as one of the most prominent and accomplished accordion artists on New York's musical scene for over thirty years (1940 - 1970).
The 1930s
John Serry Sr. collaborated and performed with a variety of leading conductors and arrangers who were also eager to integrate the accordion into the professional musical ensemble. During the Big Band Era of the 1930s these included: Erno Rapee - conductor of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra with John Serry Sr. as the first on stage accordion soloist (1933) (For additional performances see The New York Times, June 27, 1935, Pg 16); Ralph Gomez - acclaimed Cuban Orchestra leader in an extended engagement at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center(1935) (See Accordion News, March 1935); The Hugho Mariani Tango Orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (1930s); Shep Fields[link] - conductor of the Rippling Rhythm Band on a nationwide tour and live broadcasts from Los Angeles, CA over the NBC network utilizing Zenith Electronics Corporation's innovative Radiogran technology (1937 - 1938) (See The Los Angeles Examiner, Oct. 9, 1938, Pg I); Alfredo Brito - famed Cuban Orchestra leader in New York (1936); Misha Borr - conductor of The Waldorf Astoria Hotel house orchestra (1930s) and Alexander Smallens- conductor at Town Hall of Virgil Thompson's Four Saints in Three Acts. John Serry Sr. also served as Assistant Dean of Accordion and Harmony at the famed Biviano School of Music in Manhattan (1939) (See The New York Times, Nov 2, 1941, Pg X6 & The New York Times, Sept. 6, 1942, Pg. X5).The 1940s
During the Golden Age of Radio in the 1940s he worked alongside: Elsa Miranda [link] - vocalist on the CBS radio network(1940s); Marianne Oswald - (aka Marianne Lorraine[link]) a noted French chanteuse in a performance of works by the celebrated American poet Carl Sandburg at Town Hall (1942) (See The Nation, March 7, 1942, Vol. 154 #10 and The New York Times, March 1, 1942, Pg.36); Alfredo Antonini[link]- conductorCBS Pan American Orchestra on the CBS network (1940-1948) (See A Pictorial History Of Radio. Settel, Irving. Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, New York, 1960 & 1967, Pg 146, Library of Congress # 67-23789) and conductor for the Viva America [link] program on CBS for the Department of State- Office for Inter-American Affairs OCIAA (See The New York Times, June 9, 1946, Pg 49 and The New York Times, Nov. 5, 1983, Pg. 34);Terig Tucci[link] - musical program arranger/director for the CBS Pan American Orchestra broadcasts on CBS and to South America over Cadena De Las Americas aka Chain of the Americas (See Accordion World, March 1946, Vol XI, No.11, Pg. 3); Juan Arvizu - Mexican tenor and bolerista on the CBS network (1940s); Nestor Chayres - noted Mexican tenor on the CBS network (1942 & 1945) (See The New York Times, April 23, 1944, Pg. X5); Miquel Sandoval - pianist on the CBS network (1940s); Marlene Dietrich[link] - in a performance of Lili Marlene on CBS radio, John Serry Sr. accompanist (1941?); The Gordon MacRae Show Star of Stars broadcast live from the CBS studio's Starline Roof (1946) featuring John Serry Sr. as solo artist; The Danny O'Neil Show featuring John Serry Sr. as guest artist (1946); Percy Faith- conductor The Coca Cola Show on the CBS network with the Percy Faith Orchestra (1948); The Jack Smith Show (1947); Jean Sablon on The Jean Sablon Show (1947); Victoria Cordova and Alfredo Antonini conducting on a recording for Muzak (1949); RCA Victor's transciptions division in recordings of over thirty compositions by his ensemble the BelCordions (four accordions supported by string bass and guitar) for broadcast over the NBC network (1946); Biviano Sextette in performance for a series of LP recordings (1946) and Bernard Greenhouse[link]- noted cellist on Studio One, which was broadcast on the CBS network (1947).The 1950s
During the early days of network television in the 1950s, John Serry Sr. performed extensively at CBS as a staff member of the CBS Orchestra and an accompanist on several live network television programs including: The Jackie Gleason Show (1953); The Ed Sullivan Show (1959); The Frank Sinatra Show (1950s) and with the distinguished organist Billy Nalle [link][link] on the prime time drama I Remember Mama starring Peggy Wood [link] (1953). He collaborated with Mitch Miller at Columbia Records to produce a demo recording in 1951 and with Julius Baker (first flautist Columbia Symphony Orchestra) to produce another demo recording of Serry's compositions "Desert Rumba" and "La Culebra". Additional collaborators included: Andre Kostelanetz- conductor on the Eastman Kodak Kinescope broadcasts (1951) and the Magnante Accordion Quartet ( John Serry Sr. performed as a member and soloist on The Lucky Strike Hour, Waltz Time and American Melody Hour). He also joined forces with Shirley Booth ( a noted actress of stage and television), Dino DiLuca (a leading Italian romantic actor), and Lydia St. Clair in The Time of the Cuckoo[link] with John Serry Sr. serving as soloist and Musical Director at the historic Empire Theatre on Broadway(1952) (See The New York Times, Aug. 27, 1952, Pg. 22 & The New York Journal-American, May 25, 1953, Pg 15). In 1956 he composed, arranged and performed several popular compositions for Dot Records with Al Caiola [link] on the album Squeeze Play [link]. He also recorded for Decca and Sonora Records. These activities led to Mr. Serry's nomination to the "Who Is Who In Music International" in 1958.The 1960s
The 1960s ushered in a new era of popular entertainment suited to general audiences. During this Golden Age of the musical theater, John Serry Sr. collaborated on The Firestone Hour with Howard Barlow [link](guest conductor for NBC Television in 1961) and on The Revlon Revue (1960) for CBS Television. He also achieved success in such legendary Broadway productions as: Cabaret (musical) [link] at the Imperial Theatre (1968); Can-Can; La Grosse Valise [link] (1965); The Happy Time[link] starring Robert Goulet at The Broadway Theatre (1968 Tony Award Best Musical) and Fiddler On The Roof-[link] starring the legendary actor Zero Mostel at the acclaimed Majestic Theatre (1968). He was also the featured soloist at private receptions hosted for the international diplomatic community by Mayor John Lindsay at New York City's historic Gracie Mansion (1960s). He also appeared under the musical direction of the famed bandleader Guy Lombardo at the Jones Beach Theater on Long Island. Extended appearances were also made during this time with the Lester Lanin Orchestra[link]at the Plaza Hotel. In addition, he performed as the featured soloist at the Seven Up Pavillion of the New York World's Fair at Flushing Meadow (1964) and was the lead concert accordionist in performances of Tchaikowsky's New Ballet at the New York State Theater - Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet (1969).The 1970s - 2002
During the course of the next thirty-five years, John Serry Sr. performed as a respected free-lance chapel organist on the C. W. Post campus of Long Island University[link] in Brookville, New York. He composed and performed several works for the chapel's dedication ceremony. As a specialist in interfaith liturgical music, he enthralled thousands of listeners with his performances of music refelecting a variety of religious traditions (1968 - 2002).John Serry Sr. died after a brief illness in the Fall of 2003 [link]. His unique talent and love of music is shared by one of his surviving sons: John Serry [link]- a noted international Jazz pianist, composer, conductor and arranger.
Musical Legacy
Published Compositions & Arrangements
- "Desert Rumba" (for accordion, 1939)
- "Glissando" (for accordion, 1942)
- "Tarantella" (for accordion, 1942)
- "Valse" ( composer Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky, arr. for accordion, 1946)
- "Fantasy In F" (for accordion, 1946) [link]
- "Consolation Waltz" (for accordion, 1940s)
- "Uncle Charlie's Polka" (for accordion, 1940s)
- "Four Graded Method Books for Accordion" (for accordion, 1953)
- "Leone Jump" (for accordion, 1950s) [link]
- "La Culebra" (for accordion, 1950)
- "Eight Accordion Quartet Arrangements" (for accordion, 1950)
- "Reeds In A Rush" (for accordion, 1958)
Unpublished Compositions
- "Processional" (for organ, 1968)
- "Elegy" (for organ, 1986)
- "Songs of Love #1, #2, #3" (for piano and voice, lyrics by David Napolin, 1986)
- "Five Children's Pieces" (for piano, 1996)
Advanced Compositions
John Serry Sr.'s compositions in the Symphonic Jazz genre included:
- "American Rhapsody" ( for Accordion, 1955: published by Alpha Music Co.; transcribed for piano, 2002)
- "Concerto For Free Bass Accordion" (for Accordion, 1966; transcribed for piano, 1995 unpublished)
Albums
- Squeeze Play - Dot Records (1956)
- RCA Thesaurus - RCA Victor Transcriptions series of over thirty works. John Serry Sr. arranger and soloist with The Bel-Cordions ensemble and Ben Selvin - Music Director (1954).
Professional Affiliations
John Serry Sr. was an active member of BMI, SESAC, Musicians Local #802 (1933 - 2003) [link] and The American Guild of Organists. For a brief period he served as a charter member of the American Accordionists Association (1938). He pursued professional musical studies with: Joseph Rossi (Accordion 1926 - 1929); Albert Rizzi (Piano and Harmony 1929 - 1932); Gene Von Hallberg (Counterpoint and Harmony 1933 - 1934); Jascha Zade (Piano 1945-1946); Arthur Guttow (Organ 1946) and Robert Strassburg[link](Piano, Advanced Harmony and Orchestration 1948 -1950).
Citizenship
John Serry Sr. enjoyed dual citizenship in both the United States of America and Italy.
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