Noble, Ray, 1903-1978

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Ray Noble (1903-1978) was a British big band leader, composer, arranger, and conductor during the twentieth century. Born in Brighton, England, Noble first came to musical prominence as leader of the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra in London, England during the late 1920s and early 1930s. He composed several hit songs recorded by the band, including "Love is the Sweetest Thing". Noble moved to the United States in 1934 and formed the Ray Noble Orchestra, which played and broadcast over NBC Radio at New York City's Rainbow Room (1935-1937). The Ray Noble Orchestra featured a number of prominent big band musicians, including vocalist Al Bowlly and trombonist and future big band leader Glenn Miller. Noble composed and arranged a number of hits recorded by the band, including "Cherokee". After disbanding the Ray Noble Orchestra in 1937, Noble moved into radio and worked as a conductor and arranger on a number of popular radio shows between the late 1930s and early 1950s, including "The Chesterfield Show" and "The Chase and Sanborn Program".

From the description of Ray Noble papers, 1928-1954. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 181157823

Composer of Goodnight sweetheart, Love is the sweetest thing, and The very thought of you.

From the description of Autograph check signed : Santa Barbara, Calif., payable to California Blue Shield, 1971 Aug. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270904251

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn The Bell Telephone Hour collection of sound recordings [sound recording], 1940-1968 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
creatorOf Noble, Ray, 1903-1978. You make romancing so easy : autograph manuscript, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Noble, Ray, 1903-1978. Autograph check signed : Santa Barbara, Calif., payable to California Blue Shield, 1971 Aug. 9. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf NCSA Jazz Ensemble. Jazz Ensemble [sound recording]. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Semans Library
referencedIn Leo Reisman collection of sound recordings [sound recording], 1932-1948 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
creatorOf Noble, Ray, 1903-1978. Ray Noble papers, 1928-1954. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Johnny Green additional papers, 1923-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Nicolas Slonimsky Collection, 1873-1997, (bulk 1920-1990) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Southern Folklife Collection Artist Name File, 1940-2005 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith California Physicians' Service, corporateBody
associatedWith Green, Johnny, 1908-1989 person
associatedWith NCSA Jazz Ensemble. corporateBody
associatedWith New Mayfair Dance Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Ray Noble Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Reisman, Leo, 1897-1961 person
associatedWith Slonimsky, Nicolas, 1894-1995 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Great Britain
Subject
Arrangement (Music)
Arrangers
Big band music
Big bands
Composers
Composition (Music)
Conducting
Conductors (Music)
Radio music
Songs
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1903-12-17

Death 1978-04-03

Britons

Information

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Ark ID: w6hb28dc

SNAC ID: 32835381