Van Alexander American bandleader, arranger and composer. Date of Birth: 02.05.1915 Country: USA

Alexander Van Vliet Feldman Biography

Alexander Van Vliet Feldman, known professionally as Van Alexander, was an American bandleader, arranger, and composer. Born on May 2, 1915, he began his career in music at a young age and gained recognition for his talent as an arranger while still in high school. He studied the art of composition in college, honing his skills and expanding his knowledge.

In the mid-1930s, Alexander was hired by Chick Webb, a prominent jazz bandleader, to arrange music for his band. One of his notable works during this time was the children's song "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which became a hit for Webb and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, subsequently becoming Alexander's calling card as an arranger. He went on to arrange memorable compositions in jazz, including "Got a Pebble in My Shoe" and "Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"

In the late 1930s, Alexander formed his own musical group and performed in theaters throughout the 1940s. In the late 1940s, he was hired by the successful performer Bing Crosby to work in Hollywood. Alexander enjoyed extensive work as a composer, arranger, and conductor for film orchestras. In 1950, he wrote a comprehensive guide on the art of film arranging titled "First Arrangement," and one of his students was the composer Johnny Mandel.

Alexander's music could be heard in several film noirs, including "Baby Face Nelson," "13 Frightened Girls!," "Strait-Jacket," and "The Private Lives of Adam and Eve." He also contributed to the musical accompaniment for various television projects, including the series "Bewitched," "I Dream of Jeannie," and "The Wacky World of Jonathan Winters" among others. Alexander served as an arranger and conductor for variety shows featuring stars such as Mickey Rooney, Gordon MacRae, Dean Martin, and James Stewart.

Furthermore, he was involved in recording sessions with renowned artists such as Kay Starr, Dakota Staton, Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Benny Goodman, Dinah Shore, and Paul Whiteman. Alexander received multiple Emmy Awards for his music in television projects and was honored with the Henry Mancini Award for outstanding achievements by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).