Burke, Sonny, 1914-1980

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1914-03-22
Death 1980-05-31
Americans,

Biographical notes:

Big band leader and arranger during the 1940's and 1950's.

From the description of Sonny Burke papers, 1949-1951 and undated [195-?] (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 35199576

1914, March 22 Born Joseph Francis Burke in Scranton, Pennsylvania 1937 Graduated from Duke University 1930's 1940's Big band leader in New York (including Sam Donahue's band) 1940's 1950's Band arranger, including Charlie Spivak & Jimmy Dorsey bands Is credited as co-composer of Midnight Sun, the Lionel Hampton tune with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Active as an arranger & bandleader in major recording studios, including Decca Records; Burke was musical director of Reprise Records and was responsible for many of Frank Sinatra's albums Bandleader for recordings of leading singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme. 1980, May 31 Died Partial discography: Sonny Burke plays Mambos (1951) Sonny Burke and his Orchestra I & II (1951) The Sonny Burke-Don Elliott Six (ca. 1960)

Further biographical information may be found in: The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music.Chester, CT: New England Pub. Associates. 1992, v. 1, p. 368.

From the guide to the Sonny Burke Papers, and undated, ca. 1949-1951, (Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)

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Subjects:

  • Big band music
  • Big bands
  • Jazz
  • Jazz
  • Jazz musicians

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)

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