Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant (December 27, 1906 – August 14, 1972) was an American concert pianist, composer, conductor, author, radio game show panelist, television talk show host, comedian, and actor. He was known for his performances in the films Rhapsody in Blue (1945), The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), An American in Paris (1951), and The Band Wagon (1953). He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for recordings featuring his piano performances. He was equally famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and later in movies and television, as for his music. He was portrayed by Sean Hayes in the Broadway play Good Night, Oscar, written by Doug Wright. |
Birth and Death Data: Born December 26, 1906 (Pittsburgh), Died August 14, 1972 (Beverly Hills)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1948
Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, songwriter
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | BVE-41155 | 10-in. | 12/9/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Johnny Marvin | Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-41407 | 10-in. | 12/13/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Pennsylvanians ; Fred Waring | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-42921 | 10-in. | 9/4/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Ted Weems Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-43389 | 10-in. | 3/22/1928 | Just a little way from home | Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra | Orchestra, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-49260 | 10-in. | 12/14/1928 | If you want the rainbow (you must have the rain) | Fanny Brice | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-53588 | 10-in. | 6/27/1929 | My dream memory | Gus Arnheim Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-53589 | 10-in. | 6/27/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Gus Arnheim Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio | composer | |
| Victor | PBVE-54549 | 10-in. | 1/3/1930 | Until love comes along | Bebe Daniels | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
| Victor | PBVE-54550 | 10-in. | 1/3/1930 | Night winds | Bebe Daniels | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-55165 | 10-in. | 7/29/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Charlie Farrell ; Jim Miller | Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-55609 | 10-in. | 7/15/1929 | My dream memory | Don Howard ; Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra | Orchestra, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-55674 | 10-in. | 9/6/1929 | Gay love | Leo Reisman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-55805 | 10-in. | 8/26/1929 | After the clouds roll by | Henry Busse Orchestra ; Burt Lorin | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-56153 | 10-in. | 9/26/1929 | You're responsible | Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-56154 | 10-in. | 9/26/1929 | With you, with me | Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-58120 | 10-in. | 12/19/1929 | Until love comes along | Frank Munn ; Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-64856 | 10-in. | 1/19/1931 | Lady, play your mandolin | The Revelers | Male vocal quartet, with banjo, guitar, and piano (takes 1-3); with mandolin and piano (takes 4 and 5) | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-67724 | 10-in. | 12/19/1930 | Lady, play your mandolin | Havana Novelty Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-75523 | 10-in. | 3/15/1933 | In my Dixie hi-dee hideaway | George Hall ; Hotel Taft Orchestra ; Loretta Lee | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-85012 | 10-in. | 11/12/1934 | Blame it on my youth | Lee Bennett ; Jan Garber Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-88783 | 10-in. | 3/6/1935 | Pardon my love | Fats Waller and his Rhythm | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-95653 | 10-in. | 10/23/1935 | Out of sight, out of mind | Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-95656 | 10-in. | 10/24/1935 | Don't mention love to me | Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-96264 | 10-in. | 11/1/1935 | Out of sight, out of mind | Art Kassel ; Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra ; Ted Travers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-96265 | 10-in. | 11/1/1935 | Don't mention love to me | Art Kassel ; Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra ; Ted Travers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-100884 | 10-in. | 8/4/1936 | Until today | Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-018118 | 10-in. | 1/7/1938 | There's a strange little change in me | Elmer Feldkamp ; Freddy Martin Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-021974 | 10-in. | 4/13/1938 | You had an ev'ning to spare | Blue Barron ; Charlie Fischer | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-022430 | 10-in. | 4/12/1938 | You had an ev'ning to spare | Fats Waller and his Rhythm | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-023290 | 10-in. | 5/26/1938 | Wacky dust | Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-024455 | 10-in. | 8/5/1938 | How much do you mean to me? | Johnny Messner ; Music Box Band | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-031532 | 10-in. | 1/19/1939 | Last night a miracle happened | Fats Waller and his Rhythm | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-035396 | 10-in. | 4/3/1939 | Asleep or awake | Jack Leonard ; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-035560 | 10-in. | 4/5/1939 | Asleep or awake | Charlie Barnet Orchestra ; Judy Ellington | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-035569 | 10-in. | 4/6/1939 | A fool and his honey are soon parted | Barbara Bush ; Frank Dailey ; Stop and Go Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | BS-036509 | 10-in. | 4/18/1939 | Then came the rain | Blue Barron ; Russ Carlyle | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Victor | [Trial 1928-02-13-01] | 10-in. | 2/13/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Jack Major | Male vocal solo, with piano | composer | |
| Columbia | W145292 | 10-in. | 12/9/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W145395 | 10-in. | 12/23/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Ruth Etting ; Ted Lewis and his Band | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | 145424 | 10-in. | 12/17/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | The Harmonians [Selvin's Orchestra] | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | 146406 | 10-in. | 6/6/1928 | Just a little way away from home | Arthur Fields ; Newport Society Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | 146784 | 10-in. | 7/23/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Jimmy Flynn ; Lou Gold Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | W147145 | 10-in. | 10/29/1928 | If you want the rainbow | Selvin’s Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | [W]147153 | 10-in. | 10/19/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Gay Ellis and her Novelty Orchestra | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W147442 | 10-in. | 11/3/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano (takes 4-6); with alto saxophone, cornet, trombone, banjo, and piano (takes 1-3) | composer | |
| Columbia | 148826 | 10-in. | 7/19/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Jim Andrews ; Lou Gold Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | W148845 | 10-in. | 7/24/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Charleston Chasers | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | [W]149029 | 10-in. | 9/20/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Sammy Fain | Male vocal solo | composer | |
| Columbia | W149067 | 10-in. | 9/27/1929 | Gay love | Bing Crosby | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
| Columbia | W149110 | 10-in. | 10/8/1929 | You're responsible! | Merle Johnston and his Ceco Couriers | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W149115 | 10-in. | 10/8/1929 | With you—with me | Merle Johnston and his Ceco Couriers | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W149773 | 10-in. | 1/16/1930 | Until love comes along | Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W151179 | 10-in. | 12/26/1930 | Lady, play your mandolin | Ben Selvin and his Orchestra ; Paul Small | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| OKeh | W81949 | 10-in. | 12/20/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Paul Hagan ; Les Reis | Male vocal duet, with piano | composer | |
| OKeh | W400006 | 10-in. | 1/10/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Osborne Miller | Male vocal solo, with piano | composer | |
| OKeh | W400035 | 10-in. | 1/20/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Ernie Golden ; Hotel McAlpin Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio | composer | |
| OKeh | W401470 | 10-in. | 12/20/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Clarence Williams Orchestra ; Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | composer | |
| OKeh | W402888 | 10-in. | 8/29/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Annette Hanshaw | Female vocal solo, with orchestra | composer | |
| OKeh | W402895 | 10-in. | 9/3/1929 | Lovable and sweet | Smith Ballew ; Ed Kirkeby Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| OKeh | W404594 | 10-in. | 12/30/1930 | Lady, play your mandolin | Ed Kirkeby Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Brunswick | 11934-11937 | 10-in. | 11/21/1923 | Out of sight out of mind | Benny Krueger’s Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Brunswick | E27352 | 10-in. | 4/16/1928 | Just a little way away from home | Joe Rines Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet; without vocal (take G) | composer | |
| Brunswick | E28411 | 10-in. | 9/21/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Herbert Gordon’s Adelphia Hotel Whispering Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) | composer | |
| Brunswick | E32043 | 10-in. | Feb. 1930 | Until love comes along | Tom Clines and his Music | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Brunswick | E35950 | 10-in. | 1/22/1931 | Lady, play your mandolin | Will Osborne and his Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Brunswick | XE25382-XE25383 | 12-in. | 12/2/1927 | Rhapsody in blue | Frank Black Orchestra | Orchestra, with piano solo | instrumentalist, piano | |
| Brunswick | XE25384-XE25385 | 12-in. | 12/2/1927 | Rhapsody in blue | Frank Black Orchestra | Orchestra, with piano solo | instrumentalist, piano | |
| Brunswick | E25513-E25514 | 10-in. | 12/10/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Nick Lucas | Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano | composer | |
| Brunswick | E25643-E25645 | 10-in. | 12/15/1927 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal take E25645 | composer | |
| Brunswick | E30613-E30614 | 10-in. | August 1929 | Lovable and sweet | Al Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) | composer | |
| Brunswick | E30615-E30616 | 10-in. | August 1929 | My dream memory | Al Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) | composer | |
| Brunswick | E35770-E35771 | 10-in. | 12/20/1930 | Lady play your mandolin (Senora toqe su mandolina) | Crooning Troubadours ; Nick Lucas | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) | composer | |
| Brunswick | C1910 | 10-in. | 4/28/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Wynken, Blynken, and Nod | Vocal trio | composer | |
| Brunswick | C1597-C1598 | 10-in. | 1/19/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Frank Sylvano ; Elmo Tanner | Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble | composer | |
| Edison | 18152 | 10-in. | 1/5/1928 | Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon | Vaughn De Leath | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet | composer | |
| Edison | 18924 | 10-in. | 12/6/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Duke Yellman Orchestra ; Happy Jack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Edison | N-617 | 10-in. | 12/6/1928 | If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain) | Duke Yellman Orchestra ; Happy Jack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer | |
| Edison | N-1058 | 10-in. | 8/5/1929 | My dream memory | The Frohne Sisters ; Waldo Mayo Ensemble | Instrumental ensemble, with female vocal quartet | composer | |
| Decca | 104447 | 3/25/1948 | Easter parade | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 104815 | 4/22/1948 | Alexander's ragtime band | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106032 | 3/18/1948 | Margie | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106033 | 4/8/1948 | Whispering | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106034 | 10/30/1947 | Peg o' my heart | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106038 | 4/15/1948 | Chinatown my Chinatown | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106039 | 1/22/1948 | What' ll I do | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 106042 | 1/22/1948 | Hannah in savannah | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 107879 | 3/25/1948 | Baby face | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110494 | 12/25/1947 | Rock-a-bye your baby with a Dixie melody | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110495 | 12/25/1947 | I can't give you anything but love | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110496 | 4/8/1948 | At the Candlelight Cafe | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110497 | 4/8/1948 | In the good old summertime | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110498 | 3/25/1948 | Shine on, harvest moon | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110499 | 4/22/1948 | Hot time in the old town tonight | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110500 | 3/18/1948 | When Irish eyes are smiling | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110501 | 3/18/1948 | Medley: Schubert's serenade ; Oh, how I miss you tonight ; I'm always chasing rainbows ; Till the end of time ; The anniversary song | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110502 | 3/18/1948 | Ramona | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110503 | 2/5/1948 | Mary's a grand old name | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110504 | 2/5/1948 | Maxim's | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110505 | 4/15/1948 | All alone | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110506 | 9/30/1948 | Poor butterfly | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110507 | 4/15/1948 | Dirty hands, dirty face | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110508 | 1/22/1948 | Traumerei | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110509 | 1/22/1948 | It ain't necessarily so | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110510 | 2/12/1948 | Waterboy | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 110511 | 2/12/1948 | The one I love belongs to somebody else | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 111201 | 12/25/1947 | Near you | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | 111211 | 4/15/1948 | I'll see you in my dreams | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | L 10156 | 2/12/1948 | Memories | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | L 10159 | 3/18/1948 | Always | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano | |||
| Decca | L 10160 | 4/8/1948 | Ol' Man River | Al Jolson | instrumentalist, piano |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Levant, Oscar," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108664.
Levant, Oscar. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108664.
"Levant, Oscar." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Oscar Levant
Discogs: Oscar Levant
Grove: Oscar Levant
IMSLP: Oscar Levant
IMDb: Oscar Levant
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Levant, Oscar, 1906-1972 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no88004134
Wikidata: Oscar Levant - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q945042
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/74038101
MusicBrainz: Oscar Levant - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/51b826eb-0791-43bb-8d02-a6433ba96ca9
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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