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Paul Weston

Paul Weston (born Paul Wetstein; March 12, 1912 – September 20, 1996) was an American pianist, arranger, composer, and conductor who worked in music and television from the 1930s to the 1970s, pioneering mood music and becoming known as "the Father of Mood Music". His compositions include popular music songs such as "I Should Care", "Day by Day", and "Shrimp Boats". He also wrote classical pieces, including "Crescent City Suite" and religious music, authoring several hymns and masses.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Weston had a keen interest in music from an early age and learned to play the piano. He was educated at Springfield High School, then attended Dartmouth College and Columbia University.

At Dartmouth he formed his own band and toured with the college band. He joined Columbia's dance band, The Blue Lions, but was temporarily unable to perform following a rail accident, and did some arrangements while he recovered. He sold his first arrangements to Joe Haymes in 1934. When Haymes requested more material, Weston's music was heard by Rudy Vallée, who offered him work on his radio show. Weston met Tommy Dorsey through Haymes and in 1936 became a member of Dorsey's orchestra. He persuaded Dorsey to hire The Pied Pipers after hearing them in 1938, and the group toured with the bandleader.

After leaving Dorsey in 1940, Weston worked with Dinah Shore and moved to Hollywood when he was offered film work. In California he met Johnny Mercer, who invited him to write for his new label, Capitol Records. Weston became music director there, where he worked with singer Jo Stafford and developed the mood music genre. Stafford moved with him to Columbia Records in 1950, and they were married in 1952.

Weston worked extensively in television from the 1950s to the 1970s. He helped start the Grammy Awards, which were first presented in 1959. He was honored with a Grammy Trustees Award in 1971 and spent three years as music director of Disney on Parade.

Weston and Stafford developed a comedy routine where they assumed the guise of a bad lounge act named Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. Their first album was released in 1957. In 1960, their album Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Weston's work in music is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 12, 1912 (Springfield), Died September 20, 1996 (Santa Monica)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1968

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, arranger, songwriter, composer

Notes: Listed as Paul Wetstein on some disc labels.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-73 of 73 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 120339 5/16/1955 O little town of Bethlehem Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 120340 5/16/1955 Silent night, Holy night Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 120492 7/5/1968 Let it snow! Let it snow! Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 120726 2/19/1952 Spring is here Paul Weston Orchestra ; Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121070 1/18/1952 September in the rain Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121071 8/8/1958 It could happen to you Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121072 9/21/1955 As I love you Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121073 3/9/1955 I cover the waterfront Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121074 12/26/1957 Love for sale Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121075 12/26/1957 Old devil moon Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121076 Teach me tonight Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121077 12/18/1953 Don't get around much anymore Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121078 9/12/1952 Night and day Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 121079 2/20/1959 Blues in the night Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122089 1/18/1952 I'm in the mood for love Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122090 2/15/1952 Blue moon Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122092 8/1/1958 I should care Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122093 6/27/1952 Embraceable you Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122094 9/26/1952 They say it's wonderful Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122095 3/9/1955 Young and foolish Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122096 12/12/1951 Don't worry 'bout me Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122097 8/8/1958 I fall in love too easily Jo Stafford leader  
Decca 122098 9/5/1952 All the things you are Jo Stafford leader  
(Results 51-73 of 73 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Weston, Paul," accessed November 8, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103378.

Weston, Paul. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103378.

"Weston, Paul." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 8 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103378

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