Oscar Levant

Oscar Levant

Oscar Levant (December 27, 1906 – August 14, 1972) was an American concert pianist, composer, conductor, author, radio game show panelist, television talk show host, comedian, and actor. He was known for his performances in the films Rhapsody in Blue (1945), The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), An American in Paris (1951), and The Band Wagon (1953). He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for recordings featuring his piano performances. He was equally famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and later in movies and television, as for his music. He was portrayed by Sean Hayes in the Broadway play Good Night, Oscar, written by Doug Wright.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 26, 1906 (Pittsburgh), Died August 14, 1972 (Beverly Hills)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1948

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, songwriter

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

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BVE-41155	10-in.	12/9/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Johnny Marvin	Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	composer
Victor	BVE-41407	10-in.	12/13/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Pennsylvanians ; Fred Waring	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-42921	10-in.	9/4/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Ted Weems Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-43389	10-in.	3/22/1928	Just a little way from home	Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra	Orchestra, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-49260	10-in.	12/14/1928	If you want the rainbow (you must have the rain)	Fanny Brice	Female vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
Victor	BVE-53588	10-in.	6/27/1929	My dream memory	Gus Arnheim Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-53589	10-in.	6/27/1929	Lovable and sweet	Gus Arnheim Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio	composer
Victor	PBVE-54549	10-in.	1/3/1930	Until love comes along	Bebe Daniels	Female vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
Victor	PBVE-54550	10-in.	1/3/1930	Night winds	Bebe Daniels	Female vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
Victor	BVE-55165	10-in.	7/29/1929	Lovable and sweet	Charlie Farrell ; Jim Miller	Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble	composer
Victor	BVE-55609	10-in.	7/15/1929	My dream memory	Don Howard ; Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra	Orchestra, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-55674	10-in.	9/6/1929	Gay love	Leo Reisman Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-55805	10-in.	8/26/1929	After the clouds roll by	Henry Busse Orchestra ; Burt Lorin	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-56153	10-in.	9/26/1929	You're responsible	Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet	composer
Victor	BVE-56154	10-in.	9/26/1929	With you, with me	Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-58120	10-in.	12/19/1929	Until love comes along	Frank Munn ; Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-64856	10-in.	1/19/1931	Lady, play your mandolin	The Revelers	Male vocal quartet, with banjo, guitar, and piano (takes 1-3); with mandolin and piano (takes 4 and 5)	composer
Victor	BVE-67724	10-in.	12/19/1930	Lady, play your mandolin	Havana Novelty Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-75523	10-in.	3/15/1933	In my Dixie hi-dee hideaway	George Hall ; Hotel Taft Orchestra ; Loretta Lee	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-85012	10-in.	11/12/1934	Blame it on my youth	Lee Bennett ; Jan Garber Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-88783	10-in.	3/6/1935	Pardon my love	Fats Waller and his Rhythm	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-95653	10-in.	10/23/1935	Out of sight, out of mind	Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-95656	10-in.	10/24/1935	Don't mention love to me	Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-96264	10-in.	11/1/1935	Out of sight, out of mind	Art Kassel ; Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra ; Ted Travers	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-96265	10-in.	11/1/1935	Don't mention love to me	Art Kassel ; Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra ; Ted Travers	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-100884	10-in.	8/4/1936	Until today	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	songwriter
Victor	BS-018118	10-in.	1/7/1938	There's a strange little change in me	Elmer Feldkamp ; Freddy Martin Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-021974	10-in.	4/13/1938	You had an ev'ning to spare	Blue Barron ; Charlie Fischer	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-022430	10-in.	4/12/1938	You had an ev'ning to spare	Fats Waller and his Rhythm	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-023290	10-in.	5/26/1938	Wacky dust	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-024455	10-in.	8/5/1938	How much do you mean to me?	Johnny Messner ; Music Box Band	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-031532	10-in.	1/19/1939	Last night a miracle happened	Fats Waller and his Rhythm	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-035396	10-in.	4/3/1939	Asleep or awake	Jack Leonard ; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-035560	10-in.	4/5/1939	Asleep or awake	Charlie Barnet Orchestra ; Judy Ellington	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-035569	10-in.	4/6/1939	A fool and his honey are soon parted	Barbara Bush ; Frank Dailey ; Stop and Go Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-036509	10-in.	4/18/1939	Then came the rain	Blue Barron ; Russ Carlyle	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	[Trial 1928-02-13-01]	10-in.	2/13/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Jack Major	Male vocal solo, with piano	composer
Columbia	W145292	10-in.	12/9/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Lee Morse and her Southern Serenaders	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	W145395	10-in.	12/23/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Ruth Etting ; Ted Lewis and his Band	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	145424	10-in.	12/17/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	The Harmonians [Selvin's Orchestra]	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	146406	10-in.	6/6/1928	Just a little way away from home	Arthur Fields ; Newport Society Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	146784	10-in.	7/23/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Jimmy Flynn ; Lou Gold Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	W147145	10-in.	10/29/1928	If you want the rainbow	Selvin’s Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	[W]147153	10-in.	10/19/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Gay Ellis and her Novelty Orchestra	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	W147442	10-in.	11/3/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse	Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano (takes 4-6); with alto saxophone, cornet, trombone, banjo, and piano (takes 1-3)	composer
Columbia	148826	10-in.	7/19/1929	Lovable and sweet	Jim Andrews ; Lou Gold Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	W148845	10-in.	7/24/1929	Lovable and sweet	Charleston Chasers	Jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	[W]149029	10-in.	9/20/1929	Lovable and sweet	Sammy Fain	Male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	W149067	10-in.	9/27/1929	Gay love	Bing Crosby	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
Columbia	W149110	10-in.	10/8/1929	You're responsible!	Merle Johnston and his Ceco Couriers	Jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	W149115	10-in.	10/8/1929	With you—with me	Merle Johnston and his Ceco Couriers	Jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	W149773	10-in.	1/16/1930	Until love comes along	Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
Columbia	W151179	10-in.	12/26/1930	Lady, play your mandolin	Ben Selvin and his Orchestra ; Paul Small	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
OKeh	W81949	10-in.	12/20/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Paul Hagan ; Les Reis	Male vocal duet, with piano	composer
OKeh	W400006	10-in.	1/10/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Osborne Miller	Male vocal solo, with piano	composer
OKeh	W400035	10-in.	1/20/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Ernie Golden ; Hotel McAlpin Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio	composer
OKeh	W401470	10-in.	12/20/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Clarence Williams Orchestra ; Eva Taylor	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
OKeh	W402888	10-in.	8/29/1929	Lovable and sweet	Annette Hanshaw	Female vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
OKeh	W402895	10-in.	9/3/1929	Lovable and sweet	Smith Ballew ; Ed Kirkeby Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
OKeh	W404594	10-in.	12/30/1930	Lady, play your mandolin	Ed Kirkeby Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Brunswick	11934-11937	10-in.	11/21/1923	Out of sight out of mind	Benny Krueger’s Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Brunswick	E27352	10-in.	4/16/1928	Just a little way away from home	Joe Rines Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet; without vocal (take G)	composer
Brunswick	E28411	10-in.	9/21/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Herbert Gordon’s Adelphia Hotel Whispering Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G)	composer
Brunswick	E32043	10-in.	February 1930	Until love comes along	Tom Clines and his Music	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Brunswick	E35950	10-in.	1/22/1931	Lady, play your mandolin	Will Osborne and his Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Brunswick	XE25382-XE25383	12-in.	12/2/1927	Rhapsody in blue	Frank Black Orchestra	Orchestra, with piano solo	instrumentalist, piano
Brunswick	XE25384-XE25385	12-in.	12/2/1927	Rhapsody in blue	Frank Black Orchestra	Orchestra, with piano solo	instrumentalist, piano
Brunswick	E25513-E25514	10-in.	12/10/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Nick Lucas	Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano	composer
Brunswick	E25643-E25645	10-in.	12/15/1927	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal take E25645	composer
Brunswick	E30613-E30614	10-in.	August 1929	Lovable and sweet	Al Goodman Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G)	composer
Brunswick	E30615-E30616	10-in.	August 1929	My dream memory	Al Goodman Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G)	composer
Brunswick	E35770-E35771	10-in.	12/20/1930	Lady play your mandolin (Senora toqe su mandolina)	Crooning Troubadours ; Nick Lucas	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G)	composer
Brunswick	C1910	10-in.	4/28/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Wynken, Blynken, and Nod	Vocal trio	composer
Brunswick	C1597-C1598	10-in.	1/19/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Frank Sylvano ; Elmo Tanner	Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble	composer
Edison	18152	10-in.	1/5/1928	Keep sweeping the cobwebs off the moon	Vaughn De Leath	Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet	composer
Edison	18924	10-in.	12/6/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Duke Yellman Orchestra ; Happy Jack	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Edison	N-617	10-in.	12/6/1928	If you want the rainbow (You must have the rain)	Duke Yellman Orchestra ; Happy Jack	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Edison	N-1058	10-in.	8/5/1929	My dream memory	The Frohne Sisters ; Waldo Mayo Ensemble	Instrumental ensemble, with female vocal quartet	composer
Decca	104447		3/25/1948	Easter parade	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	104815		4/22/1948	Alexander's ragtime band	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106032		3/18/1948	Margie	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106033		4/8/1948	Whispering	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106034		10/30/1947	Peg o' my heart	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106038		4/15/1948	Chinatown my Chinatown	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106039		1/22/1948	What' ll I do	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	106042		1/22/1948	Hannah in savannah	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	107879		3/25/1948	Baby face	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110494		12/25/1947	Rock-a-bye your baby with a Dixie melody	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110495		12/25/1947	I can't give you anything but love	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110496		4/8/1948	At the Candlelight Cafe	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110497		4/8/1948	In the good old summertime	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110498		3/25/1948	Shine on, harvest moon	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110499		4/22/1948	Hot time in the old town tonight	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110500		3/18/1948	When Irish eyes are smiling	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110501		3/18/1948	Medley: Schubert's serenade ; Oh, how I miss you tonight ; I'm always chasing rainbows ; Till the end of time ; The anniversary song	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110502		3/18/1948	Ramona	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110503		2/5/1948	Mary's a grand old name	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110504		2/5/1948	Maxim's	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110505		4/15/1948	All alone	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110506		9/30/1948	Poor butterfly	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110507		4/15/1948	Dirty hands, dirty face	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110508		1/22/1948	Traumerei	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110509		1/22/1948	It ain't necessarily so	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110510		2/12/1948	Waterboy	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	110511		2/12/1948	The one I love belongs to somebody else	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	111201		12/25/1947	Near you	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	111211		4/15/1948	I'll see you in my dreams	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 10156		2/12/1948	Memories	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 10159		3/18/1948	Always	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 10160		4/8/1948	Ol' Man River	Al Jolson		instrumentalist, piano

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Levant, Oscar," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/108664.

Levant, Oscar. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/108664.

"Levant, Oscar." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.