Les Elgart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Les Elgart
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Lester Elliott Elgart
August 3, 1917 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Died | July 29, 1995 (aged 77) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
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| Years active | 1940–1995 |
| Relatives | Larry Elgart (brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Pop music |
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Lester Elliott Elgart (born August 3, 1917 – died July 29, 1995) was an American swing jazz bandleader and trumpet player. He was known for his unique "Elgart Sound" which became very popular in the 1950s.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Les Elgart was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey with his brother, Larry Elgart. Music was a big part of their family life. Their mother, Bessie Elgart, was a talented concert pianist. She even performed at Carnegie Hall!
When Les was 10, he joined the Cub Scouts and became interested in playing the bugle. He later switched to the cornet, and then to the trumpet. Both brothers went to Pompton Lakes High School. Les was even the president of his school orchestra. By the time he was 20, he was already playing music professionally.
Building a Music Career
Forming the First Band
In the 1940s, Les played in several famous bands. These included bands led by Raymond Scott, Charlie Spivak, and Harry James. Sometimes, his brother Larry played alongside him.
In 1945, Les and Larry decided to start their own orchestra. They hired talented musicians like Nelson Riddle to write their music. Their band was known for a "sweet band" sound. It was a bit like the famous Glenn Miller band, but with a slower rhythm.
The band recorded some music in 1945, but these songs were not released. In 1946, they signed with Musicraft Records. However, their songs didn't become big hits. They played in New York and New Jersey for two years. By 1949, the popularity of big bands was declining. So, the Les Elgart Orchestra stopped performing. Les then worked as a freelance musician for a few years.
Creating the Elgart Sound
In 1952, Larry Elgart and a friend, Charles Albertine, were playing in a Broadway show. They felt they needed to do something more with their music. So, Les, Larry, and Charlie decided to start a new band. They were determined to make it a success.
With just $1,000, they recorded three demo songs. These were sample recordings to show to record labels. In April 1953, George Avakian from Columbia Records heard their music. He loved it and signed the band!
Their first album, Sophisticated Swing, came out that same year. It was an instant hit! People praised the band for its "handsome sound and smart arrangements." The band quickly became very popular. In 1954, they were ranked third in a poll by DownBeat magazine. They even moved up to second place in 1955 and 1956.
Over the next three years, the band released many albums. They toured a lot, especially at colleges. Their special mix of brass and reed instruments became known as “The Elgart Sound.” Two of their most popular albums were "The Elgart Touch" (1956) and "For Dancers Also" (1957). Both of these albums reached the Top 15 on the music charts.
One of their most famous songs was "Bandstand Boogie". This song became the theme music for the popular TV dance show American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark.
In 1957, the band's name changed to Les and Larry Elgart and Their Orchestra. But after their 1958 album, “Sound Ideas,” the brothers decided to go their separate ways. Larry started his own band.
Even without Larry, the Les Elgart Orchestra remained very popular. They were still ranked second in the 1959 DownBeat poll. In 1960, they won awards from Cashbox and Billboard magazines. These awards recognized them as one of America's favorite bands.
By the end of the 1960s, Les stopped performing as much. He focused more on the business side of the band. The band continued to release albums with different producers and arrangers.
Later Years and Reunions
In 1963, Les and Larry reunited. They hired new arrangers like Charles Albertine and Bobby Scott. The Les and Larry Elgart Orchestra tried to keep up with new music trends. They released albums with folk music ("Big Band Hootenanny" 1963) and disco ("Elgart Au Go-Go" 1965) influences. Their later music was often called easy listening.
The band performed on the radio from 1964 to 1966. They also appeared on a Jackie Gleason TV special in 1966. After their 1967 album, The Wonderful World of Today’s Hits, Les and Larry parted ways again, this time for good.
Les Elgart lived in several cities, including Chicago, Santa Monica, and Miami. He eventually settled in Dallas, Texas. From Dallas, Les continued to tour with his band. They played at colleges, conventions, and on cruise ships. In 1977, he married Joerene Ingram, who helped manage the band.
Les Elgart continued to work until he passed away from heart failure in Dallas, Texas, at age 77.
Discography
(All released on the Columbia label except where noted)
- Sophisticated Swing CL-536 (1953)
- Just One More Dance CL-594 (1954)
- The Band of the Year CL-619 (1954)
- The Dancing Sound CL-684 (1954)
- For Dancers Only CL-803 (1955)
- Prom Date (10" "House Party" Series) CL 2503 (1955)
- The Elgart Touch CL-875 (1956)
- The Most Happy Fella CL-904 (1956)
- Campus Hop (10" "House Party" Series) CL 2578 (1956)
- More of Les (10" "House Party" Series) CL 2590 (1956)
- For Dancers Also CL-1008 (1957)
- Les & Larry Elgart & Their Orchestra CL-1052 (1958)
- Sound Ideas CL-1123/CS-8002 (1958)
- Les Elgart On Tour CL-1291/CS-8103 (1959)
- The Great Sound of Les Elgart CL-1350/CS-8159 (1959)
- The Band with That Sound CL-1450/CS-8245 (1960)
- Designs for Dancing CL-1500/CS-8291 (1960)
- Half Satin Half Latin CL-1567/CS-8367 (1960)
- It's De-Lovely CL-1659/CS-8459 (1961)
- The Twist Goes to College CL-1785/CS-8585 (1962)
- Best Band on Campus CL-1890/CS-8690 (1962)
- Big Band Hootenany CL-2112/CS-8912 (1963)
- Command Performance CL-2221/CS-9021, (1964)
- The New Elgart Touch CL-2301/CS-9101, (1965)
- Elgart au Go-Go CL-2355/CS-9155, (1965)
- Sound of the Times CL-2511/CS-9311, (1966)
- Warm and Sensuous CL-2591/CS-9391 (1966)
- Girl Watchers CL-2633/CS-9433 (1967)
- The Wonderful World of Today's Hits CL-2780/CS-9580 (1967)
- American Bandstand, Priam PR-218 (1981)
- Nashville Country Piano, Swampfire SF-201 (1969)
- Nashville Country Brass, Swampfire SF-202 (1969)
- Nashville Country Guitars, Swampfire SF-203 (1969)
- Nashville Country Sound, Swampfire SF-207 (1970)
