"I'm Just Wild About Animal Crackers" is a 1926 novelty song by Fred Rich, Harry Link, and Sam Coslow. It was first recorded by Duke Ellington on June 21, 1926 and two days later by Irving Aaronson and his Commanders. [1] Around the release of the song, A&P Stores and Henry Waterson Inc. arranged to sell a copy of the song and a box of animal crackers together for 25 cents. [2]
John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on soprano saxophone, but refused to play soprano after 1946. Along with Benny Carter, Hodges is considered to be one of the definitive alto saxophone players of the big band era.
Ted L. Koehler was an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
Irving Harold Mills was an American music publisher, musician, lyricist, and jazz promoter. He often used the pseudonyms Goody Goodwin and Joe Primrose.
An animal cracker is a particular type of cracker, baked in the shape of an animal, usually an animal either at a zoo or a circus, such as a lion, a tiger, a bear, or an elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet, but darker chocolate-flavored and colorful frosted varieties are also sold. Although animal crackers tend to be sweet in flavor like cookies, they are made with a layered dough like crackers and are marketed as crackers and not cookies.
The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books were a series of eight studio albums released in irregular intervals between 1956 and 1964, recorded by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, supported by a variety of orchestras, big bands, and small jazz combos.
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book is a 1957 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, focusing on Ellington's songs.
Mel and George "Do" World War II is a 1990 live album by the American jazz singer Mel Tormé and the British jazz pianist George Shearing.
"Let's Misbehave" is a song written by Cole Porter in 1927, originally intended for the female lead of his first major musical production, Paris. It was discarded before the Broadway opening in favor of "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love". However, the star of the Broadway production, Irene Bordoni, performed it for a phonograph recording which was labelled as being from the production of Paris.
"I'm Beginning to See the Light" is a popular song and jazz standard, with music written by Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James and lyrics by Don George and published in 1944.
Maceo Pinkard was an American composer, lyricist, and music publisher. Among his compositions is "Sweet Georgia Brown", a popular standard for decades after its composition and famous as the theme of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.
Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is a 1962 live album by Tony Bennett. The June 9th concert was directed by Arthur Penn and Gene Saks. Carnegie Hall had not featured a pop performer until April 23, 1961 when Judy Garland recorded her legendary concert.
Mel Tormé Live at the Playboy Jazz Festival is a 2002 live album by Mel Tormé, recorded at the Hollywood Bowl at the 1993 Playboy Jazz Festival.
Piano in the Background is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Columbia label in 1960.
Prelude to a Kiss is a 1958 concept album by Mel Tormé. The album charts the course of a relationship, where each track is interspersed with dialogue. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in November, 1957.
The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World is a 1967 live album featuring Duke Ellington and his orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, T-Bone Walker, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry and Zoot Sims. It was released in 1975.
In a Sentimental Mood: Mathis Sings Ellington is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released on October 9, 1990, by Columbia Records and continues the studio album pattern that began with The Hollywood Musicals and In the Still of the Night in which the song selections adhere to a specific theme or focus.
Clarence Gaskill was an American composer and lyricist active during the 1920s to early 1930s. His most well-known songs include, Doo-Wacka-Doo (1921). I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me (1926), and Prisoner of Love (1932). His first hit came in 1919 with I Love You Just the Same, Sweet Adeline.
Joya Sherrill Sings Duke is a 1965 album by Joya Sherrill recorded in tribute to the bandleader and composer Duke Ellington. Several members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra accompany Sherrill on the album.
The Duke at Tanglewood is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington fronting the Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by Arthur Fiedler which was recorded at Tanglewood and released on RCA Victor's classical Red Seal label.
Hot Summer Dance is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded at Mather Air Force Base in California and first released as a CD on Bob Thiele's Red Baron label in 1983.