Sonny Burke

Real Name:

Joseph Francis Burke

Profile:

Big band leader

Notice: For funk - soul - jazz keyboardist, use Sonny Burke (2)

Born on 22.03.1914 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Died on 31.05.1980.
In 1937, he graduated from Duke University.
During the 30's and 40's he was a big band leader in New York (including Sam Donahue's band) and during the 40's and 50's he worked as a band arranger for the Charlie Spivak and Jimmy Dorsey bands, among others.
He is credited as co-composer of "Midnight Sun", the Lionel Hampton tune with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
He was an active arranger and bandleader in major recording studios, including Decca Records. Burke was musical director of Reprise Records and was responsible for many of Frank Sinatra's albums.
He was also bandleader for recordings of leading singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé.

In Groups:

Brass Fever, Sonny Burke And His Orchestra

Variations:

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