Leroy Anderson
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Born

  • June 29, 1908
  • Cambridge, MA

Died

  • May 18, 1975
  • Woodbury, CT

Marriages / Children

  • Eleanor Firke (1942)

Web Site

Leroy Anderson

Celebrated composer Leroy Anderson's witty compositions and light-hearted, psuedo-classical melodies have virtually defined the sound of the modern ''pops'' orchestra. Among his best known works are such memorable tunes as ''Blue Tango,'' the Christmas classic ''Sleigh Ride,'' and ''The Syncopated Clock'' (which later became the theme for many a late, late movie program). Though his main compositional tool was the use of standard ochestration in unusual ways Anderson also featured non-traditional instruments in his work. ''The Typewriter'' is built around the bells, keys and grinds of its namesake, and ''Sandpaper Ballet'' features that well-known scraping and rubbing sound of sand on wood.

The son of Swedish immigrants, Anderson learned to play the organ as a child. At age 11 he began studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he took up the piano. He wrote his first composition at age 12. For his high school graduation Anderson composed a special song and conducted the school orchestra during the ceremony. He later attended Harvard, where he played trombone in the school band and graduated magna cum laude in 1929, receiving his Masters in music in 1930. After graduation he became a member of the music faculty of Radcliffe College and directed the Harvard University Band until 1935. He also continued his schooling, studying Germanic and Scandanavian languages.

In 1935 legendary Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler hired Anderson as orchestrator. Fiedler quickly recognized Anderson's talent and asked him to write compositions for the orchestra. His first, ''Jazz Pizzicato,'' was an instant hit. Anderson continued to compose for and sometimes conduct the Pops up until the time of his death.

Anderson married in 1942, shortly before entering the Army during WWII, where his linguistic skills were put to use. Originally stationed in Iceland he was later transferred to Washington, DC, where he became Chief of the Scandinavian Desk in the Military Intelligence Service. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain. His military duties, though, didn't interfere with his devotion to music. He continued to write compositions and even conducted the Pops, on occasion, during his time in service.

In 1950 Anderson began recording for Decca. His work became very popular with the post-swing audience, and in 1952 he reached number one on the Hit Parade with ''Blue Tango.'' In 1958 he composed his first, and only, Broadway musical, ''Goldilocks.'' He continued recording for Decca until 1962.

Leroy Anderson passed away in 1975. He was elected to the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1995 Harvard named their new band quarters ''Anderson Band Center'' in his honor.