Harold Arlen

about

Harold Arlen (February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) Was an American composer of popular music. Having written over 400 songs, a number of which have become known the world over, Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the Great American Songbook. His 1938 song "Over the Rainbow” was voted the twentieth century's No. 1 song by the Recording Industry Association of America Biography Arlen was born Hyman Arluck, in Buffalo, New York, the child of a Jewish cantor. His twin brother died the next day. He learned the piano as a youth and formed a band as a young man. He achieved some local success as a pianist and singer and moved to New York City in his early 20s. He worked as an accompanist in vaudeville.[1] At this point, he changed his name to Harold Arlen. He performed on record with the "Buffalodians" orchestra, as well as those of Red Nichols, Henny Hendrickson and Arnold Johnson. Between 1926 and about 1934, Arlen appeared occasionally as band vocalist on records by The Buffalodians, Red Nichols, Joe Venuti, Leo Reisman and Eddie Duchin, usually singing his own compositions. In 1929, Arlen composed his first well-known song: "Get Happy" (with lyrics by Ted Koehler). Throughout the early and mid-1930s, Arlen and Koehler wrote shows for the Cotton Club, a popular Harlem night club, as well as Broadway musicals and Hollywood films. Arlen also continued to perform with some success, most notably on records with Leo Reisman's society dance orchestra. Arlen's compositions h

top songs

albums

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Over the Rainbow

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Song Is Harold Arlen

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A Single Man

Just For The Record...

The Wizard Of Oz

The Wizard of Oz and Other Hit Songs By Harold Arlen (Original Soundtrack)

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Musical Moments to Remember: Judy Garland, "Somewhere over the Rainbow"

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Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The Wizard of Oz (Original 1988 London Cast)

Original Soundtrack from "The Wizard of Oz" and other hit songs by Harold Arlen

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Duets

A Time for Us (Silence, on joue!)

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