Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael was born on November 22, 1899, in Bloomington, Indiana, and passed away on December 27, 1981, in Rancho Mirage, California. He was a prominent American composer, musician, and actor, recognized as one of the most successful Tin Pan Alley songwriters of the 1930s and 1940s. Carmichael was among the first singer-songwriters to leverage emerging mass media technologies such as radio, television, and sound recordings.
Carmichael's early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's unstable employment as an electrician. His mother, a pianist, influenced his musical development, exposing him to ragtime and jazz. He pursued law at Indiana University, where he also led a jazz band and befriended cornetist Bix Beiderbecke. Carmichael's first composition, "Riverboat Shuffle," became a jazz classic after being recorded by Beiderbecke's band.
After a brief stint practicing law, Carmichael moved to New York City to focus on music. His song "Stardust," initially an instrumental, became one of the most recorded American standards after lyrics were added by Mitchell Parish. He collaborated with lyricist Johnny Mercer on several hits, including "Lazybones" and "Skylark."
In 1936, Carmichael relocated to Hollywood, composing for films and acting in character roles. His notable compositions include "Georgia on My Mind," "The Nearness of You," and "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951. Carmichael's work remains influential, reflecting his jazz roots and innovative spirit in American popular music.
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