Leonid Utyosov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonid Utyosov
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Utyosov 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) |
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Leonid Utyosov (born Lazar Vaysbeyn, March 22, 1895 – March 9, 1982) was a very famous Soviet singer and actor. He was known for his funny performances and unique singing style. In 1965, he became the first pop singer to receive the important title of People's Artist of the USSR. This was a huge honor in the Soviet Union.
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About Leonid Utyosov's Early Life
Leonid Utyosov grew up in Odessa, which was part of the Russian Empire. He went to a business school but soon left it. He then joined a circus group as an acrobat, showing his early talent for entertaining.
His stage career began in 1911 in a town called Kremenchuk. Later, he returned to Odessa and changed his name to Leonid Utyosov. He started performing as a stand-up comedian. He worked with different theater groups, making people laugh with his jokes and stories. In 1917, he won a singing contest in Gomel, Belarus, which helped him become more known. After that, he performed in Moscow.
Utyosov and the Rise of Jazz
In the 1920s, Utyosov moved to Leningrad. There, he created one of the first jazz bands in the Soviet Union. This was a big step for music in the country. He started working with a popular composer named Isaak Dunayevsky. Their teamwork led to great success for both of them.
Utyosov gathered the best musicians in Leningrad for his band. He developed his own special style, combining jazz music with comedy. His shows mixed different types of music, from Russian folk songs to international styles. In 1928, Utyosov traveled around Europe. He saw American jazz bands perform in Paris, which gave him new ideas for his own music.
During the 1930s, Utyosov's band, called "Thea-Jazz" (meaning Theatrical Jazz), was very popular. They often performed at the Kirov Palace of Culture in Leningrad. They also played at other famous theaters. Utyosov's performances included many musical styles. He sang American jazz, Argentine tango, French songs, upbeat dance tunes, and Russian folk music.
Utyosov's Film Career and Wartime Efforts
Utyosov became even more famous in the 1930s. He starred with Lyubov Orlova in a comedy movie called Jolly Fellows. In this film, he sang popular songs like "Serdtse" (Heart). The movie was a huge hit and made him a household name.
During World War II, Utyosov helped his country in a special way. He performed for Soviet soldiers right on the front lines. His music and humor helped to cheer them up and boost their spirits. On Victory Day in 1945, he performed in Moscow's Sverdlov Square. This was a big celebration of the end of the war.
Utyosov lived in Moscow for the rest of his life. However, he often sang about his hometown of Odessa. A monument to him was built in Odessa in 2000, showing how much he was loved there.
Movies Featuring Leonid Utyosov
Leonid Utyosov appeared in several films throughout his career. Here are some of them:
- 1919 – Lieutenant Schmidt – Freedom Fighter
- 1923 – Trade-House "Entente and Co."
- 1926 – Career of Spirka Shpandyr
- 1928 – Strangers
- 1934 – Jolly Fellows — playing 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 Utyosov
Leonid Utyosov sang many popular songs. Some of his famous singles include:
- 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 Odessa
- Moscow Windows
Honors and Special Recognition
Leonid Utyosov received many honors for his contributions to music and entertainment.
- A minor planet (a small space rock) discovered in 1984 was named 5944 Utesov after him.
- 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
