Stordahl, Axel

Alex Stordahl (1913-1963) was born in Staten Island, NY on August 8, 1913. He began his career as a trumpeter with the Bert Bloch orchestra from 1934 to 1936. He subsequently joined Tommy Dorsey who featured Frank Sinatra as the lead singer. Stordahl remained with Dorsey from 1936-1943. He later became Frank Sinatra's musical composer for the radio show, "Hit Parade," and remained with Sinatra for two years as composer and conductor.

Stordahl also arranged and conducted music for Eddie Fisher for four years, and for Gisele McKenzie, Nanette Fabray, Dinah Shore, Jack Benny, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby. Along with Paul Weston and Sammy Cahn, he composed "Day by Day." Other popular arrangements were "If I Should Care," "Ain'tcha Ever Comin' Back," "Talking to Myself," "Night After Night," "Ride Off and Recollections."