Harold Arlen, born Hyman Arluck on February 15, 1905, in Buffalo, New York, was a prominent American composer known for his significant contributions to popular music and the Great American Songbook. The son of a Jewish cantor, Arlen displayed exceptional musical talent from a young age, learning to play the piano and forming his own band, Hyman Arluck's Snappy Trio, at just 15. He left home at 16 to pursue a career in music, performing with bands such as The Southbound Shufflers and later moving to New York City, where he worked as an accompanist in vaudeville and changed his name to Harold Arlen.

Arlen's career took off in 1929 when he composed "Get Happy" with lyricist Ted Koehler, marking the beginning of a successful partnership that produced numerous hits for the Cotton Club in Harlem and Broadway musicals. Some of their well-known songs include "Let's Fall in Love" and "Stormy Weather." Arlen's work extended to Hollywood, where he composed scores for films, most notably The Wizard of Oz in 1939, for which he and lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg won an Academy Award for the iconic song "Over the Rainbow."

Throughout his career, Arlen collaborated with various lyricists, including Johnny Mercer and Ira Gershwin, creating classics such as "Blues in the Night," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "That Old Black Magic." His contributions to Broadway included scores for musicals like Bloomer Girl and House of Flowers. Arlen's music has left a lasting impact, with "Over the Rainbow" being voted the 20th century's No. 1 song by the RIAA and the NEA.

Harold Arlen married Anya Taranda in 1937, and they remained together until her death in 1970. He adopted his brother's son in 1985. Arlen passed away on April 23, 1986, in New York City and is buried at Ferncliff Cemetery. His legacy as one of the great American composers of the 20th century endures through his extensive catalog of over 500 songs.