Leonid Utesov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonid Utesov
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Utesov in Jolly Fellows (1934)
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| Born |
Leyzer (Lazar) Vaysbeyn
22 March 1895 |
| Died | 9 March 1982 (aged 86) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
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| Resting place | Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow |
| Occupation | Singer, actor, conductor |
| Title | People's Artist of the USSR (1965) |
| Musical career | |
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Leonid Utesov (born Lazar Vaysbeyn) was a very famous Soviet singer and actor. He was known for his fun performances and became the first pop singer to receive the important award of People's Artist of the USSR in 1965. He was born in Odesa on March 22, 1895, and passed away in Moscow on March 9, 1982.
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Leonid Utesov's Early Life and Career
Leonid Utesov grew up in Odesa, which was part of the Russian Empire. He went to the Faig School of Commerce but decided to leave. After that, he joined the Borodanov Circus as an acrobat.
His stage career began in 1911 in Kremenchuk. Later, he returned to Odesa and changed his name to Leonid Utesov. He started performing as a stand-up comedian with different theater groups. In 1917, he won a singing competition in Gomel, Belarus, and then performed in Moscow.
Becoming a Jazz Star in Leningrad
In the 1920s, Utesov moved to Leningrad. There, he created one of the first Soviet jazz bands. He started working with the popular composer Isaak Dunayevsky. This partnership was a huge success for both of them.
Utesov gathered the best musicians in Leningrad for his band. He developed a unique style that combined jazz with stand-up comedy. His shows mixed many types of music, from Russian folk songs to international styles. In 1928, Utesov traveled around Europe. He saw American jazz bands perform in Paris, which greatly influenced his own music.
Thea-Jazz and Wartime Performances
During the 1930s, Utesov and his band, called "Thea-Jazz," often performed at the Kirov Palace of Culture in Leningrad. "Thea-Jazz" was a mix of "Theatrical" and "Jazz." They also played at other famous theaters. Utesov's performances included American jazz, Argentine tango, French chanson, and Russian folk music.
His fame grew even more in the 1930s. He starred with Lyubov Orlova in the comedy movie Jolly Fellows. In this film, Utesov sang popular songs like "Serdtse" (Heart).
During World War II, Utesov performed for Soviet soldiers on the front lines. His music helped to cheer them up as they fought. On Victory Day in 1945, he performed in Moscow's Sverdlov Square.
Utesov lived in Moscow for the rest of his life. However, many of his songs mentioned his hometown of Odesa. A monument to him was built there in 2000.
Leonid Utesov's Films
Here is a list of movies Leonid Utesov appeared in:
- 1919 – Lieutenant Schmidt – Freedom Fighter
- 1923 – Trade-House "Entente and Co."
- 1926 – Career of Spirka Shpandyr
- 1928 – Strangers
- 1934 – Jolly Fellows — Kostya Potekhin
- 1940 – Concert on the Screen
- 1942 – Concert for the Frontlines
- 1954 – Merry Stars
- 1963 – Melodies of Dunayevsky
- 1974 – Pyotr Martynovich and the Years of a Great Life
Popular Songs by Leonid Utesov
Here are some of the well-known songs sung by Leonid Utesov:
- Gop so smykom
- S Odesskogo kichmana
- Odessit-Mishka
- Havana
- Have a good night
- Road to Berlin
- My dear Muscovites
- Waves of the Danube
- Jewish Rhapsody
- On a wing and a prayer
- When Johnny came home
- Leningrad bridges
- Happy-go-lucky guys marsh
- Song of the old cab
- Beautiful marquise
- Sea widely
- Suliko
- Tachanka
- Chapliniana
- In the Black Sea
- Tyuh-tyuh
- Oh, my Odesa
- Moscow Windows
Awards and Recognition
A small planet called 5944 Utesov was named after him. It was found on May 2, 1984. On March 21, 2020, Google celebrated his 125th birthday with a special Google Doodle on their homepage.
See also
In Spanish: Leonid Utiósov para niños
- Pyotr Leshchenko
- Mark Bernes
- Klavdiya Shulzhenko
- List of Jewish musicians
- Mishka Yaponchik
