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Vernon Duke

Vernon Duke (10 October [O.S. 27 September] 1903 – 16 January 1969) was a Russian-born American composer/songwriter who also wrote under his birth name, Vladimir Dukelsky. He is best known for "Taking a Chance on Love," with lyrics by Ted Fetter and John Latouche (1940), "I Can't Get Started," with lyrics by Ira Gershwin (1936), "April in Paris," with lyrics by E. Y. ("Yip") Harburg (1932), and "What Is There To Say," for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, also with Harburg. He wrote the words and music for "Autumn in New York" (1934) for the revue Thumbs Up! In his book, American Popular Song, The Great Innovators 1900-1950, composer Alec Wilder praises this song, writing, “The verse may be the most ambitious I’ve ever seen." Duke also collaborated with lyricists Johnny Mercer, Ogden Nash, and Sammy Cahn.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 10, 1903 (Parafjanava), Died January 16, 1969 (Santa Monica)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, lyricist, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 41 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-63113 10-in. 7/10/1930 I am only human after all Frank Luther ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-75342 10-in. 3/1/1933 A penny for your thoughts Roy Bargy ; Ramona Piano duet and instrumental ensemble, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-77615 10-in. 9/6/1933 This is romance Leo Reisman Orchestra ; Arthur Wright Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-78090 10-in. 10/5/1933 This is romance Ray Sinatra ; Conrad Thibault Baritone vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor BS-78589 10-in. 11/24/1933 Suddenly Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-78590 10-in. 11/24/1933 What is there to say? Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-78820 10-in. 11/29/1933 April in Paris Hotel Pierre Orchestra ; Henry King ; Joseph Sudy Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-86088 10-in. 12/5/1934 Autumn in New York Richard Himber ; Joey Nash ; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer, lyricist  
Victor BS-98454 10-in. 12/23/1935 Words without music Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-98455 10-in. 12/23/1935 That moment of moments Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-02159 10-in. 10/16/1936 Now Al Bowlly ; Ray Noble Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor CS-011675 12-in. 8/7/1937 I can't get started Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-018413 10-in. 1/26/1938 Piano tuner man Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-043248 10-in. 10/30/1939 I can't get started Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-043308 10-in. 10/24/1939 I can't get started Dick Todd Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Victor PBS-049690 10-in. 5/13/1940 April in Paris Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor PBS-055184 10-in. 12/3/1940 This is romance Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor PBS-055185 10-in. 12/3/1940 What is there to say? Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-057003 10-in. 10/17/1940 The Yankee Doodle polka Meredith Blake ; Gray Gordon ; Tic-Toc Rhythm Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble composer  
Victor BS-057387 10-in. 11/12/1940 Taking a chance on love Kaydets ; Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Victor BS-057718 10-in. 11/19/1940 Cabin in the sky Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-058792 10-in. 1/9/1941 Taking a chance on love Ruth Gaylor ; Teddy Powell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-066875 10-in. 7/21/1941 April in Paris Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-068372 10-in. 11/27/1941 Not a care in the world Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters Jazz/dance band, with vocal composer  
Victor BS-068374 10-in. 11/27/1941 A nickel to my name Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters Jazz/dance band, with vocal composer  
(Results 1-25 of 41 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Duke, Vernon," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102913.

Duke, Vernon. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102913.

"Duke, Vernon." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102913

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