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 (Results 26-50 of 110 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
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

(Results 26-50 of 110 records)

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.