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Leo Mathisen

Leo "The Lion" Mathisen (10 October 1906 – 16 December 1969) was a Danish jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer and bandleader. He was a leading figure of the thriving Danish scene during the years around World War II—a period which has been labelled the Golden Age of Danish Jazz—and he is considered to be one of the most significant and original jazz musicians of his day.

Mathisen's main source of inspiration was Fats Waller, both his piano play and his singing, but the later years of his career saw some bebop influence. His most famous tracks are "Take It Easy" and "To Be or Not to Be". His nickname is a reference to his first name as well as MGM's mascot Leo the Lion. He is also remembered for his characteristic appearance with his flat, centrally parted hair, his thin moustache and, most notably, his fondness of large cigars.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 10, 1906 (Copenhagen), Died December 16, 1969 (Copenhagen)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter, composer

= 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 Audio
Victor BS-023502 10-in. 5/27/1938 A wee bit of swing Barrelhouse Barons ; Timme Rosenkrantz Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-023503 10-in. 5/27/1938 Is this to be my souvenir? Barrelhouse Barons ; Inez Cavanaugh ; Timme Rosenkrantz Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mathisen, Leo," accessed November 19, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/112010.

Mathisen, Leo. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/112010.

"Mathisen, Leo." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/112010

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