Ludwig Elias Gluskin (also Ludwig Grassnick) (December 16, 1898, New York City? or Russia? - October 13, 1989, Palm Springs, California)[1] was a jazz bandleader.
Gluskin drummed for bands in France in the 1920s, including at the Casino de Paris. In 1927, he was offered the leadership of The Playboys, a Detroit jazz band which had been stranded in Paris; he led the group in Venice in 1927 and Paris in 1928, eventually expanding them into his own orchestra.[2] With this ensemble, Gluskin recorded more than 700 titles in Paris and Berlin and toured Europe extensively through 1933. His sidemen included Arthur Briggs, Faustin Jeanjean, Emile Christian, Leo Vauchant, Howard Mulvany and Danny Polo.
The rise of Hitler made it difficult for Gluskin, a Jew, to find work in central Europe, and he eventually decided to leave the Continent.[3] Upon returning to the United States, Gluskin led dance bands and worked on radio. He took the position of director of music for CBS in 1937, working out of Hollywood.
In the early 1950s he provided music for the Burns and Allen TV show.