Sammy Kaye
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Sammy Kaye (born Samuel Zarnocay, Jr. March 13, 1910 in Lakewood, Ohio -- June 2, 1987 in Ridgewood, New Jersey) was a famous bandleader and songwriter. He attended Ohio University, in Athens, OH where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraterity. Kaye could play saxophone and clarinet, but he never featured himself as a soloist on either one.
A leader of one of the so-called "Sweet" bands of the Big Band era, he made a large number of records for RCA Victor, Columbia Records, and the American Decca label. Kaye was known for an audience participation gimmick called "So You Want To Lead A Band?" where audience members would be called onto stage in an attempt to conduct the orchestra, with the possibility of winning batons. Kaye was also known for his use of "singing of song titles," which was emulated by Kay Kyser and Blue Barron.
Musicians included Ralph Flanagan, Dale Cornell and Marty Oscard. Singers included Don Cornell (not related to Dale Cornell) and [Nancy Norman.]
He was posthumously inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992 and for his contribution to the recording industry has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He is mentioned in the lyrics of the song "Kids" from the Musical Bye Bye Birdie, and also the Mills Brothers "Opus One".
External links
- http://www.sammykayeorchestra.com/
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