Ben Bernie
Ben Bernie, born Benjamin Anzelevitz on May 30, 1891, in New York City, was an influential American jazz violinist, bandleader, composer, and radio personality. Known as "The Old Maestro," Bernie was a prominent figure in American popular music from the 1920s through the 1940s. He studied at the New York College of Music, City College of New York, and the Columbia School of Mines. Early in his career, Bernie performed in vaudeville and formed a dance band in 1922, which gained popularity through recordings and radio play.
Bernie was best known for co-composing the jazz standard "Sweet Georgia Brown" in 1925 with Maceo Pinkard and Ken Casey. His band, Ben Bernie & All the Lads, was a staple of the jazz and big band genres, and he became famous for his radio shows in the 1930s, where he entertained audiences with his humor and the catchphrase "Yowsah, Yowsah." His radio career spanned two decades, during which he worked with various sponsors and networks, including NBC and CBS.
In addition to his radio success, Bernie appeared in several films, such as "Shoot the Works" (1934), "Stolen Harmony" (1935), "Wake Up and Live" (1937), and "Love and Hisses" (1937). He also starred in the Broadway musical "Here's Howe" in 1928. Bernie had a notable "feud" with columnist Walter Winchell, which was more of a friendly rivalry, leading to their collaboration in films.
Bernie's contributions to music extended beyond performance; he was a member of ASCAP and collaborated with other musicians on various compositions. He passed away on October 20, 1943, in Hollywood, California, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in American jazz and entertainment.
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