Les Brown American jazz musician and composer Date of Birth: 14.03.1912 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Forming "Les Brown and His Blue Devils"
3. The "Band of Renown" and Doris Day
4. Collaborations with Bob Hope and Tony Bennett
5. Film and Television Appearances
6. Later Career and Death

Early Life and Education

Lester Raymond Brown, known professionally as Les Brown, was born on March 14, 1912, in Reinerton, Pennsylvania. After graduating from the New York Military Academy in 1932, he enrolled at Duke University, where he studied from 1932 to 1936.

Forming "Les Brown and His Blue Devils"

While at Duke, Brown formed the band "Les Brown and His Blue Devils," which performed regularly on campus and toured the eastern coast. In 1936, Brown took the group on an extensive tour, and after its conclusion, a portion of the band returned to Duke to continue their studies, while the other half chose to remain with Brown and continue touring. This group formed the core of Brown's "Band of Renown" in 1938.

The "Band of Renown" and Doris Day

Brown's "Band of Renown" achieved fame in 1945 when it released the hit single "Sentimental Journey" with rising star Doris Day. The song became an unofficial anthem for returning veterans at the end of World War II in Europe. The band went on to have nine other Top Ten hits, including Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."

Collaborations with Bob Hope and Tony Bennett

Les Brown and the "Band of Renown" performed extensively on radio, television, and live with comedian, actor, and host Bob Hope for nearly fifty years. They also participated in eighteen USO tours, entertaining American troops around the world, with over three million attendees. Tony Bennett was discovered and given his first major break by Bob Hope, who had him perform with Brown and the "Band of Renown."

Film and Television Appearances

Brown's first feature film appearance with his band was the 1942 musical comedy "Seven Days Leave," starring Victor Mature and Lucille Ball. Subsequent film credits included "Rock-A-Billy Baby" (1957) and Jerry Lewis's "The Nutty Professor" (1963). The band also appeared in a series of musical short films from 1945 to 1957.

Later Career and Death

Les Brown and his band were regulars on "The Steve Allen Show" from 1959-1961 and "The Dean Martin Variety Show" from 1965-1972. The band collaborated with some of the biggest performers of their time, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat "King" Cole. Brown died of lung cancer on January 4, 2001, and was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.