Johnny Green
Johnny Green, born John Waldo Green on October 10, 1908, in New York City, was a distinguished American composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist. He is best known for his classic song "Body and Soul," which became a jazz standard after being featured in the revue "Three's a Crowd" in 1930. Green was a musical prodigy, entering Harvard University at age 15, where he wrote arrangements for Guy Lombardo's orchestra and composed the hit "Coquette."
Despite initially working as a stockbroker, Green's passion for music led him to pursue a successful career in the industry. He composed numerous jazz standards, including "Out of Nowhere" and "I Cover the Waterfront," and worked as an arranger and conductor for Paramount Pictures, collaborating with artists like Ethel Merman and Gertrude Lawrence.
In the 1930s, Green led his own orchestra and became a prominent figure in radio and film music. He served as the musical director for the Academy Awards ceremonies four times and was the musical director at MGM, overseeing films such as "An American in Paris" and "High Society." Green won five Academy Awards for his contributions to film music and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Green's career spanned several decades, during which he composed, arranged, and conducted a wide array of musical works, leaving a lasting impact on both the jazz and film music genres. He passed away on May 15, 1989, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 80.
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