Jack Pleis
| Jack Pleis | |
|---|---|
Pleis, on the back cover of
Strings and Things (1957) |
|
| Background information | |
| Born |
May 11, 1917 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Died | December 5, 1990 (aged 73) Palm Springs, California, USA |
| Genres | Jazz, easy listening |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist, arranger, conductor, composer, producer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1939–1976 |
| Labels |
London Records Decca Records Columbia Records |
| Associated acts | Jan Savitt & the Top Hatters, Jack Pleis Trio, Jack Pleis and His Orchestra, Eartha Kitt, Carmen McRae,Henri René |
Jack K. Pleis (May 11, 1917 – December 5, 1990) was an American jazz pianist, arranger, conductor, composer and producer. He recorded on London and Decca Records in the 1950s, and Columbia Records in the 1960s. During the course of his career, Pleis worked with many artists, including Louis Armstrong, Harry Belafonte, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Benny Goodman, Earl Grant, Brenda Lee, and Joe Williams. Between 1950 and 1976, over 150 songs were arranged by Pleis.
Jack Pleis was born in Philadelphia on May 11, 1917. Starting at age four, he began his training in classical piano. He first performed in concert when he was seven. By the time he was eleven, he appeared on radio programs for children.
Pleis enrolled in college intending to study medicine. To support his studies, he played piano in jazz and popular music bands. Eventually he left school and moved to New York City, where he began his musical career.
In New York, Pleis became successful as a pianist, arranger, conductor, and composer. He was one of Jan Savitt's Top Hatters, playing piano and doing arrangements, a position he left in 1942 to enlist in the Army during World War II. In 1947, the Jack Pleis Trio provided instrumental support for Larry Laurence (with The Quintones providing vocal harmonies). By 1948, Pleis was working at the RCA Victor studios on 24th Street, appearing on the cover of the January 1, 1949 issue of Billboard playing piano at the studio's holiday party. His orchestra backed Teresa Brewer and Bobby Wayne on their 1949 single "Copper Canyon"/"'Way Back Home".
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