Ben Jerome

Benjamin M. Jerome (1881 – March 29, 1938),[1] also known by the stage name Ben Jerome,[2][3] was an American composer, arranger, lyricist, songwriter, pianist, and conductor.[4] In his early career he worked in New York City as a Tin Pan Alley composer of popular music, and was a notable arranger of ragtime music.[5] He also composed music and/or wrote lyrics to several musicals staged on Broadway.[1] He later lived in Chicago where he worked for 12 years as the music director of the La Salle Theater.[6]

Jerome died in Chicago on March 29, 1938, after a five-day illness.[1]

Partial list of stage works

  • Mam'selle 'Awkins (1900); one of many songwriters to contribute songs
  • The Supper Club (1901); music and lyrics
  • The Wizard of Oz (1902), contributed two songs to the musical
  • The Darling of the Gallery Gods (1903)
  • The Dress Parade (1903)
  • The Isle of Spice (1904); music also by Paul Schindler
  • The Royal Chef (1904)
  • The Mimic World 1908 (1908); music also by Seymour Furth
  • Mr. Hamlet of Broadway (1908)
  • He Came from Milwaukee (1910); music also by Louis A. Hirsch
  • Yes, Yes, Yvette (1926), musical in three act; music by Ben Jerome and Philip Charig; premiered December 5, 1926, Four Cohans Theatre, Chicago;[7] Broadway premiere at the Sam H. Harris Theatre on October 3, 1927[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Obituaries; Ben Jerome". The Intermezzo. 15: 10. 1938.
  2. ^ Catalogue of Title-entries of Books and Other Articles Entered in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, Under the Copyright Law ... Wherein the Copyright Has Been Completed by the Deposit of Two Copies in the Office. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1926.
  3. ^ "Catalog of Copyright Entries. Fourth Series". 1926.
  4. ^ "Benjamin M. Jerome". Discography of American Historical Recordings. University of California Press. 2008.
  5. ^ Dave Jasen (2020). Ragtime: An Encyclopedia, Discography, and Sheetography. Taylor & Francis. p. 66. ISBN 9781000143843.
  6. ^ Alma L. Bunch (February 1933). "The World's Foremost Operettas Are To Be Featured At Chicago's World Fair". The Santa Fe Magazine: 44.
  7. ^ Bob Morningstar (December 18, 1926). "Chicago Premiere; Four Cohans Theatre; Yes, Yes, Yvette". Billboard.
  8. ^ "YES, YES, YVETTE' IS CHEERY, REFRESHING; Jack Whiting and Jeanette MacDonald Aid in Keeping Musical Comedy at Lively Pace". The New York Times. October 4, 1927. p. 32.


Stub icon

This article about a composer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.