Mel Torme
Mel Tormé
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Melvin Howard Fein was born on September 13, 1925, to a Russian Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois. He would later adopt the stage name Mel Tormé.
Birth and Death Dates
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September 13, 1925 – September 5, 1999
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American singer, songwriter, actor, and arranger
Early Life
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Growing up in a musical family, Mel Tormé began singing at the age of three. His father, Morris Fein, was a cantor, and his mother, Mildred (née Block), was a pianist. The young Fein started performing publicly as a singer and comedian by the time he was five years old.
Major Accomplishments
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Tormé's talents extended far beyond singing. He was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as _The Fabulous Dorseys_ (1947) and _A Song Is Born_ (1948). As a writer, Tormé co-authored the novel _The Other Side of Me_, which detailed his experiences with stuttering.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Mel Tormé's most notable works include:
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (1944): This timeless winter classic has become synonymous with the holiday season. Co-written by Tormé and Bob Wells, it was introduced in the film _Meet Me in St. Louis_.
"Ain't Misbehavin'": A popular song that showcased Tormé's vocal range and style.
Impact and Legacy
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Mel Tormé's impact on music cannot be overstated. He helped to define the cool jazz movement of the 1950s, working with notable artists such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. As a singer, he was known for his effortless delivery, impeccable phrasing, and mastery of vocal dynamics.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Tormé's influence extends beyond his music. He was an advocate for stuttering awareness, using his platform to raise funds and support for the Stuttering Foundation. His legacy serves as a testament to his dedication to both his craft and the causes he believed in.
Throughout his life, Mel Tormé continued to push boundaries as a performer, composer, and writer. He left behind a rich musical heritage that continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
Mel Tormé's contributions to jazz, film, and literature have cemented his place as one of the most versatile talents in entertainment history. His impact on popular culture remains profound, ensuring that his music, legacy, and spirit continue to thrive.
Quotes by Mel Torme
I didn’t really have an act per se – a theatrical performance, as opposed to just: here I am, folks, and you’re all supposed to be dead quiet while I sing eight or nine songs, then get off the stage.
How many radio shows I did is lost to memory now; it’s in the hundreds – maybe even close to being in the thousands – for the span of years from the time I was eight till I was about fifteen.
Right now, my career is in three directions: as a performer, as an arranger, as an author – and I don’t give any one of them true precedent, or true top marks, as opposed to the other two.
I hadn’t been a recording artist all that long when albums came on the scene, and I was one of the first singers to point the way to how varied an album’s contents could be.
I was a singer professionally when I was four years old, and I did not really begin to play any instrument – the first one, of course, was drums – till I was about nine years old.
It may sound a bit like an army barracks, but the truth of the matter is: there must be some time laid aside for arranging, time for working on either a book or an article – I’ve written two articles in the last four months for the New York Times book review section.
I would be a liar if I said it wouldn’t be lovely and soothing – that’s the word – to have a hit single or a hit album.
As regards my feelings about drummers – there’s Buddy Rich, and then there’s everybody else.
I’m going to continue to talk to the people, because I do believe that if they get to know you and what you are as a human being, they can more appreciate what you are as a performer.