Rube Bloom
Reuben "Rube" Bloom (April 24, 1902 – March 30, 1976) was an influential American songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and author. Born and died in New York City, Bloom was a self-taught pianist who began his career accompanying vaudeville performers before transitioning to freelance work in New York. He played and recorded with numerous groups, including the Cotton Pickers and the orchestras of Ray Miller and Sam Lanin, and accompanied vocalists such as Annette Hanshaw and Ethel Waters.
Bloom's first hit composition, "Soliloquy," came in 1927 and was recorded by Duke Ellington. He formed and led several bands, most notably Rube Bloom and His Bayou Boys, which featured prominent musicians like Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. Throughout his career, Bloom collaborated with many renowned lyricists, including Johnny Mercer, Ted Koehler, and Mitchell Parish, creating jazz standards such as "Day In, Day Out," "Fools Rush In," and "Here's to My Lady."
In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Bloom published several books on piano methods and recorded piano rolls for the Duo-Art Company. His compositions were recorded by various artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, who performed "I Can't Face the Music" in 1962. Bloom's legacy includes a rich catalog of songs and recordings that continue to be celebrated in the jazz and popular music worlds. He is buried in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.
App
