Jimmy Van Heusen

Some of the best in jazz derives from its interpretations of the great American popular songbook, and Jimmy Van Heusen was one of its composer-giants.  In 2013, the centennial of Van Heusen’s birth, we added this jazz flavored element to its commemoration. Van Heusen was born in Syracuse, NY on January 26, 1913 as Edward Chester Babcock.  He began a musical career in high school and worked as a radio disk jockey, taking the stage name Van Heusen from the shirt company.  He moved to New York City in the thirties to start as a professional songwriter, his first major association coming at the Cotton Club, arranged by his friend Harold Arlen.  His first big number was “Darn That Dream”, written for Benny Goodman, soon followed by the likes of “All This And Heaven Too”, “Shake Down The Stars” and many other hits. By 1940, Van Heusen teamed with lyricist Johnny Burke and wrote for over 30 films for Paramount Pictures, and also for the Broadway stage.  The Burke-Van Heusen partnership lasted well in to the 1950's and produced classics such as “Polka Dots And Moonbeams”, “Imagination”, “But Beautiful”, “It Could Happen To You”, “Here’s That Rainy Day”, and “Like Someone In Love”.  After Burke semi-retired, Van Heusen joined forces with Sammy Cahn and continued to write for the movies, with chestnuts like “All The Way”, “The Second Time Around”, “Come Fly With Me”, “Call Me Irresponsible”, and too many more to mention.  He became an intimate of Frank Sinatra and was involved in much of Sinatra’s success in this period.  Van Heusen died in 1990 at the age of 77. This radio program presents jazz versions of Van Heusen’s songs featuring many instrumental improvisations, and also vocal versions from greats such as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Etta Jones.   originally broadcast February 24, 2013