Ben Oakland
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| Ben Oakland | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 24, 1907 New York City, New York |
| Died | August 26, 1979 (aged 71) Hollywood, California |
| Occupation(s) | songwriter |
Ben Oakland (September 24, 1907 - August 26, 1979) was an American composer, lyricist[1] and pianist most active from the 1920s through the 1940s. He composed mainly for Broadway and vaudeville, though he also worked on several Hollywood scores including for the film My Little Chickadee.
Oakland often composed music only, collaborating with lyricists including Oscar Hammerstein II, Milton Drake, L. Wolfe Gilbert, and Artie Shaw. Notable compositions include "Java Jive" (covered by the Manhattan Transfer and used in several commercial advertisements), "I'll Take Romance", and "I'm A Hundred Percent For You"[2].
Although often credited with writing the music to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" [3], the tune is actually a French melody "Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman" dating first published in 1761[4].
The Songwriter's Hall of Fame lists Oakland on their notable (non-inducted) songwriters list[5] for contributions to the American popular song.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Internet Broadway Database: Ben Oakland Credits on Broadway
- ^ COMPOSERS - LYRICISTS DATABASE - 'O' entries page 1
- ^ Songwriters Hall of Fame
- ^ "The melody was first known as 'Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman,' the music of which appeared (without words) in 1761 in 'Les Amusements d'une Heure et Demy' by Mr. Bouin (Paris), p. 1."[1]
- ^ Songwriters Hall of Fame
[edit] External links
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