Jeff Alexander

Jeff Alexander (born Myer Goodhue Alexander; July 2, 1910 – December 23, 1989) was an American conductor, arranger, and composer of film, radio and television scores.

Early life Born in Seattle, Washington, Alexander began performing in his teens as a singer and dancer in vaudeville productions. He then began playing piano and composing big band music.

Radio In 1937, he moved to New York City, where he arranged and composed music for radio programs, including Benny Goodman's Camel Caravan (as "Myer Alexander"), "The Lucky Strike Show" and "Amos 'n' Andy". He directed the orchestra for Songs of George Byron, Arthur's Place, Thirty Minutes to Play, The Bill Goodwin Show, and the Borden Show.

He directed the chorus for The Star Theater, Great Moments in Music and (billed as Myer Alexander) the Goodman program. His Goodman group was called "the world's only Swing Chorus".

Career Film

In 1947, he moved to Los Angeles and began writing film and, later, television scores. His first film project was the score for Shall We Dance,

Compositions Although credited to Axel Stordahl, it was Alexander who arranged "The House I Live In" for Frank Sinatra, recorded in 1945. In 1956, Alexander contributed the tone poems "Yellow" and "Brown" to the album Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems of Color. He also composed a symphony and other classical pieces.

Other In 1944, Alexander and Lyn Murray, along with business manager Eugene Loewenthal, formed Murray-Alexander Associates in New York City. The business provided vocal groups, orchestras, and arrangements.

Alexander was a founder of the organization Screen Composers of America.

Death Alexander died of cancer, aged 79, at his home in Whidbey Island, Washington on December 23, 1989. He was survived by his daughter, Jill.