Johnny Messner (musician)

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For other uses, see Johnny Messner (disambiguation).

Johnny Messner (born October 13, 1909 in New York City - died January 1986 in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey) was an American bandleader, composer, saxophonist, and vocalist during the big band/swing heyday.

[edit] Background

Messner, the youngest of five brothers, received a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School of Music. During World War II he was drafted into the US Army, where he served as bandleader for ensembles at military training facilities across the United States. After the war ended, he joined Vincent Lopez's orchestra as an assistant bandleader and saxophonist.