Ludwig Elias "Lud" Gluskin[1] (December 16, 1898 – October 13, 1989[2]) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader.[3]

Biography

Ludwig Elias Gluskin [1] was born in Manhattan as first child to Elias Gluskin (31), a New York dentist, and his wife Rosa Epstein (21).[1] Both parents were born in Russia. From 1911-16, He attended public grade schools and DeWitt Clinton High School where Gluskin met Jimmy Durante with whom he formed a piano-drum combination for engagements at school events and private parties.[4]

After touring Europe with Paul Whiteman's band, Gluskin stayed on in France where, in 1927, he was offered the leadership of The Playboys, a Detroit jazz band which had been stranded in Paris;[5] he led the group in Venice in 1927 and Paris in 1928, eventually expanding them into his own orchestra.[6] With this ensemble, Gluskin recorded more than 700 titles in Paris and Berlin and toured Europe extensively through 1933. His sidemen included Arthur Briggs, Faustin Jeanjean, Emile Christian, Leo Vauchant, Howard Mulvany, Edmond Cohanier, and Danny Polo.

The rise of Hitler made it difficult for Gluskin, a Jew, to find work in central Europe, and he eventually decided to leave the Continent.[7] Upon returning to the United States, Gluskin led dance bands and worked on radio. He took the position of director of music for CBS in 1937, working out of Hollywood, and leading the orchestra on many programs, including The Orson Welles Almanac (1944).[8][9][10]

During this period he also worked as musical director for a number of films, including The Bashful Bachelor (1942) and Friendly Enemies (1942).[11]

In the early 1950s he provided music for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.

Upon retirement he lived in Palm Springs, California.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c State of New York Certificate and Record of Birth, January 4, 1899.
  2. ^ Lud Gluskin recordings at NFO.net. Grove lists his birthdate and place as "?Russia, c. 1898".
  3. ^ Donnelly, K.J. and Philip Hayward (2012) Music in Science Fiction Television: Tuned to the Future, p. 8. Routledge Google Books. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  4. ^ H.J.P. Bergmeier & Rainer E. Lotz: Lud Gluskin - A Bio-Discography. (Fox auf 78/Sonderpublikation No.1) Dietramszell (Germany), 1991
  5. ^ "Ludwig Gluskin; Drummer for Paul Whiteman Band" Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  6. ^ Rainer E. Lotz, "Lud Gluskin". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz.
  7. ^ Lud Gluskin at NFO.net
  8. ^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 525. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Radio Almanac". RadioGOLDINdex. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  10. ^ "Orson Welles Almanac—Part 1". Internet Archive. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  11. ^ American Film Institute (1971) AFI Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Volume 1. University of California Press. Google Books. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Palm Springs Home To Radio Veterans: Stars of 'Golden Era'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. AP. December 18, 1974. Retrieved September 30, 2012.

External links

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