Marl Young facts for kids

Marl Young (born January 29, 1917 – died April 29, 2009) was an American musician and arranger. An arranger is someone who takes a song and decides which instruments play what parts. Marl Young was important because he helped bring together the all-Black and all-White musicians' unions in Los Angeles in the early 1950s. He also became the first Black music director for a big TV show, Here's Lucy, which starred Lucille Ball.

The Life of Marl Young

Early Life and Music

Marl Young was born in Bluefield, Virginia on January 29, 1917. He spent his first seven years there with his family. Later, they moved to Chicago, Illinois. Marl started playing the piano when he was just six years old.

Helping Musicians Unite

In 1947, Marl Young moved to Los Angeles, California. There, he became involved with the Black musicians' union. In the early 1950s, he played a very important role. He helped merge, or combine, the all-Black and all-White musicians' unions in Los Angeles. This was a big step towards fairness and equality for musicians. A historian named Steven Isoardi called him a "key figure" in bringing these separate unions together into one American Federation of Musicians.

Working with Lucille Ball

Marl Young first started working with actress Lucille Ball and her company, Desilu Productions, in 1958. Their working relationship lasted for 16 years. Young made history by becoming the first Black music director for a major TV show. This show was Here's Lucy, which was a very popular series starring Lucille Ball.

Marl Young passed away in Los Angeles on April 29, 2009, at the age of 92.

See also

• West Coast jazz