Carmen Cavallaro

Carmen Cavallaro ( born May 6, 1913 in New York City; † October 12, 1989 in Columbus ( Ohio)) was an American pianist, bandleader and actor.

Life and work

Although he had a classical piano training, he was attracted by dance music and collaborated with Al Kavelin 1933 and with Rudy Vallee 1937. He worked, however briefly, with Enrico Madriguera and Abe Lyman.

1939 Cavallaro founded his first band called Breakfast in St. Louis. As a dance band, she played among others at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco and at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City; there guested Cavallaros Orchestra in Frank Dailey 's Meadowbrook and the Paramount Theatre. As his popularity grew, he expanded his band into an orchestra with 14 members. In 1944, he signed a contract with Decca. Larry Douglas and Guy Mitchell was hired as a singer. In 1945 he succeeded to the title of Chopin's Polonaise a hit, the number 3 in the U.S. Charts.

After the orchestra disbanded after the war, he made with smaller combos in the 1950s and 1960s on, who accompanied him as soloists. He mainly played the then popular jazz -inspired pop music, such as 1951 They Can not Take That Away from Me He could in 1950 with Music! Music! Music! , Reached number 17 on the U.S. charts, and 1952 with Meet Mister Callaghan, 28th place, still recorded two smaller hits.

Carmen Cavallaro died in 1989 from cancer. To his admirers also scored Liberace. He also has a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

Films (selection )

• Hollywood Canteen (1944 )
• Diamond Horseshoe (1945 )
• War notes ( 1946)