Al Goodman

Al Goodman (August 12, 1890 in Nikopol, Ukraine – January 10, 1972 in New York City, New York) was a conductor, songwriter, stage composer, musical director, arranger, and pianist.

Graduate of the Baltimore City College and the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, musician in a nickelodeon, and chorus boy in one of the Milton Aborn's operettas, Goodman was first introduced to musical comedy by the late Earl Carroll, who persuaded him to collaborate in producing his musical, So Long Letty.

The success, followed by the hit "Sinbad," which he produced with Al Jolson, led to positions as orchestra conductor for many Broadway productions including the highly successful Flyin’ High, The Student Prince, and Blossom Time. In all, during this period of his career, Goodman directed over 150 first-night performances and became one of the Great White Way's most popular conductors.

He was in such demand that it was not uncommon for him to conduct the orchestra of a show for the first few performances, and then hand the baton over to another while he prepared for a new production. In addition to his many assignments as one of RCA Victor's most talented conductors and arrangers, Goodman was kept busy directing the music for various radio network shows including The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air (1932), Palmolive Beauty Box Theater (1935-1937), Your Hit Parade (1935-1938), The Fred Allen Show (1945-1949), and his pet program, The Prudential Family.

During television's early years, Al Goodman was tapped to supervise and conduct the music for NBC's variety showcase Colgate Comedy Hour programs done from New York City.

Goodman wrote some memorable songs such as "When Hearts Are Young", "Call of Love" and "Twilight". He also worked on several musicals such as The Band Wagon, Good News and Ziegfeld Follies.


Birth and Death Data: Born August 12, 1890 (Nikopol), Died January 10, 1972 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1919 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, composer, conductor, songwriter, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 97 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-25421 10-in. 6/1/1921 A baby in love Hackel-Bergè Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-27154 10-in. 11/15/1922 When hearts are young Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-27496 10-in. 2/16/1923 Man in the moon The Troubadours Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-27629 10-in. 2/28/1923 Caroline Great White Way Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-27794 10-in. 5/3/1923 When hearts are young Olive Kline Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-28742 10-in. 10/15/1923 Music of love International Novelty Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-33307 10-in. 8/13/1925 The promenade walk Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-36583 10-in. 11/8/1926 Someone Jan Garber Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-81104 10-in. 12/26/1933 Masquerading in the name of love Don Bestor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor CS-067662 12-in. 8/21/1941 Arms for the love of America Al Goodman Orchestra ; Barry Wood Male vocal solo and 2 announcers, with mixed vocal ensemble and orchestra. leader  
Victor CS-067663 12-in. 8/21/1941 The ballad of the Leatherneck Corps Al Goodman Orchestra ; Tyrone Power Recitation, with mixed vocal ensemble and orchestra. leader  
Victor D4RC-0698 12-in. 12/27/1944 Strange music Al Goodman ; James Melton Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra conductor  
Victor D4RC-0699 12-in. 12/27/1944 There's beauty everywhere Al Goodman ; James Melton Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra conductor  
Victor D4RB-0723 10-in. 12/27/1944 Our waltz Al Goodman ; James Melton Tenor vocal solo, with vocal chorus and orchestra conductor  
Victor D4RB-0724 10-in. 12/27/1944 Holiday for strings Al Goodman ; James Melton Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra conductor  
Victor D5VB-0692 10-in. 10/22/1945 L'amour, toujours l'amour Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Female vocal solo, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0694 10-in. 10/22/1945 Indian love call Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Female vocal solo, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0696 10-in. 10/22/1945 Ma belle Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Male vocal solo, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0698 10-in. 10/22/1945 The donkey serenade Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Male vocal solo, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0895 10-in. 12/10/1945 Giannina mia Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Female vocal solo, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0896 10-in. 12/10/1945 Only a rose Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0979 10-in. 12/12/1945 Song of the vagabonds Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman ; Guild Choristers Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and orchestra leader  
Victor D5VB-0995 10-in. 12/19/1945 Give me one hour Al Goodman Orchestra ; Al Goodman Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra leader  
Victor D9VC-0978 12-in. 3/1/1949 South Pacific hits Al Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Victor D9VC-0979 12-in. 3/1/1949 South Pacific hits--concluded Al Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
(Results 1-25 of 97 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Goodman, Al," accessed April 2, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109147.

Goodman, Al. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109147.

"Goodman, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 2 April 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109147

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