Perry Botkin
American jazz musician and composer (1907–1973)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Perry Botkin (July 22, 1907 – October 14, 1973) was an American jazz guitarist, banjoist, and composer.
Perry Botkin | |
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| Born | July 22, 1907 |
| Died | October 14, 1973 (aged 66) |
Career
Born in Springfield, Ohio, Perry Botkin started working in the 1920s for Wayne Euchner, who had a big band in West Baden, Indiana.[1] Around 1928 he worked with Phil Napoleon's Original Memphis Five. Later he played the guitar on Hoagy Carmichael's Hong Kong Blues.[2] He also recorded with Al Jolson, Buddy Cole Trio, Connee Boswell, Eddie Cantor, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Spike Jones, Roy Rogers, and The Dorsey Brothers.[3]
The single The Executioner Theme from the film Murder by Contract reached number 39 on Canada's CHUM Chart.[4]
For 17 years he worked as musical director for Bing Crosby.[2] He appeared as a musician in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1956-1957).[3] In 1958 he composed the score for Murder by Contract, and in the 1960s he composed many songs for The Beverly Hillbillies, e.g. "Elly May's Theme".[3] His son, Perry Botkin Jr., was also a musician and composer.[3]
Perry Botkin died in Van Nuys, California at the age of 66.
Discography
- The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (Decca, 1951)