Mel Torme

Biography

Mel Tormé, born Melvin Howard Tormé on September 13, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, was a prodigious American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Tormé began singing professionally at age four and was performing in vaudeville and on radio by age six. By fifteen, he had published his first song, 'Lament to Love,' which became a hit for Harry James, and soon after, he was playing drums and singing with Chico Marx’s band. In 1943, Tormé formed the Mel-Tones, a pioneering vocal jazz group, and made his film debut in 'Higher and Higher' alongside Frank Sinatra.

Tormé’s solo career blossomed in the late 1940s with hits like 'Blue Moon' and the release of 'California Suite,' Capitol Records’ first long-playing album. He became known as 'The Velvet Fog' for his smooth, rich vocal timbre, though he personally disliked the nickname. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Tormé transitioned from crooning to jazz, working with top arrangers like Marty Paich and earning acclaim for his improvisational skill and scat singing. He co-wrote the enduring holiday classic 'The Christmas Song' with Bob Wells, which became a standard after Nat King Cole’s 1946 recording. Tormé continued to record, perform, and act into the 1990s, earning two Grammy Awards and cementing his legacy as one of jazz’s most versatile and influential vocalists.

Tormé’s impact extended beyond performance; he authored several books, including his autobiography and a biography of Buddy Rich. His career, which spanned over six decades, was marked by a relentless pursuit of musical excellence and innovation, influencing generations of jazz and pop vocalists. He passed away on June 5, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a rich catalog of recordings and compositions that continue to inspire.

Fun Facts

• Mel Tormé was nicknamed 'The Velvet Fog' for his smooth vocal tone, a moniker he reportedly disliked.
• He was a skilled drummer and often played drums on his own recordings and live performances.
• Tormé co-wrote the holiday classic 'The Christmas Song' ('Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire') during a heatwave in July 1945.
• He authored several books, including an autobiography and a biography of jazz drummer Buddy Rich.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ella Fitzgerald - Tormé idolized Fitzgerald and credited her as a major influence on his improvisational and scat singing style. (General influence, no direct collaborations) [1940s–1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Marty Paich - Arranger and bandleader; collaborated on several acclaimed jazz albums. (Albums such as 'Mel Tormé and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette') [1950s–1960s]
• The Mel-Tones - Tormé formed and led this vocal jazz group, pioneering vocal jazz harmonies. (Recordings for Jewel, Decca, and Musicraft labels) [1943–1946]
• George Shearing - Frequent duet partner; their collaborations won Grammy Awards. (Albums such as 'An Evening with George Shearing and Mel Tormé') [1980s]
• Bob Wells - Co-writer of 'The Christmas Song' ('The Christmas Song') [1945]

Artists Influenced

• Michael Bublé - Cites Tormé as a vocal and stylistic influence, particularly in jazz phrasing and standards. (General influence on Bublé's jazz and standards repertoire) [2000s–present]
• Harry Connick Jr. - Inspired by Tormé’s approach to jazz vocals and arrangements. (General influence on vocal jazz style) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Windmills Of Your Mind (A Time For Us)
2. Comin' Home Baby (Comin' Home Baby)
3. Putting on the Ritz (Comin' Home Baby)
4. They Can't Take That Away from Me (2012 - Remaster) (Mel Tormé Sings Fred Astaire (2012 - Remaster))
5. Happy Together (A Time For Us)
6. I've Got You Under My Skin - Studio Rio Version (Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection)
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Voice (Home Alone (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
8. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Tormé Meets The British)
9. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (Christmas Piano with Alexis)
10. Blue Moon (Swingin' On The Moon)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia