Rube Bloom
Encyclopedia
Reuben Bloom was a Jewish American
multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist
, arranger
, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer (he wrote several books on piano method).
During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke
, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting, and Tommy
and Jimmy Dorsey
. He collaborated with a wide number of lyricists, including Johnny Mercer
, Ted Koehler
, and Mitchell Parish
.
During the 20s he wrote many novelty piano solos which are still well regarded today. He recorded for the Aeolian Company's Duo-Art reproducing piano system various titles including his "Spring Fever". His first hit came in 1927 with "Soliloquy"; his last was "Here's to My Lady" in 1952, which he wrote with Johnny Mercer. Bloom formed and led a number of bands during his career, such as Rube Bloom and His Bayou Boys (which consisted of 3 records made over 3 sessions in 1930 and are considered 6 of the hottest recordings made in the first days of the depression. It was an all-star studio group containing Benny Goodman
, Adrian Rollini
, Tommy Dorsey and Manny Klein
). At other times, he played with other bands; an example of this side of his career can be found in his work with Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer
in the Sioux City Six, as well as his frequent work with Joe Venuti's Blue Four.
His song "I Can't Face the Music" was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald
on her 1962 Verve
release Rhythm is My Business
, in a fabulous swing/big band version with Bill Doggett
.
According to some sources, his first name was pronounced like 'Ruby' by his friends.
He is buried in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont
, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer (he wrote several books on piano method).
During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke
Bix Beiderbecke
Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer.With Louis Armstrong, Beiderbecke was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the 1920s...
, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting, and Tommy
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
and Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
. He collaborated with a wide number of lyricists, including Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
, Ted Koehler
Ted Koehler
Ted L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
, and Mitchell Parish
Mitchell Parish
Mitchell Parish was an American lyricist.-Early life:Parish was born Michael Hyman Pashelinsky to a Jewish family in Lithuania. His family emigrated to the United States, arriving on February 3, 1901 on the SS Dresden when he was less than a year old...
.
During the 20s he wrote many novelty piano solos which are still well regarded today. He recorded for the Aeolian Company's Duo-Art reproducing piano system various titles including his "Spring Fever". His first hit came in 1927 with "Soliloquy"; his last was "Here's to My Lady" in 1952, which he wrote with Johnny Mercer. Bloom formed and led a number of bands during his career, such as Rube Bloom and His Bayou Boys (which consisted of 3 records made over 3 sessions in 1930 and are considered 6 of the hottest recordings made in the first days of the depression. It was an all-star studio group containing Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Adrian Rollini
Adrian Rollini
Adrian Francis Rollini was a multi-instrumentalist best known for his jazz music. He played the bass saxophone, piano, xylophone, and many other instruments. Rollini is also known for introducing the goofus in jazz music...
, Tommy Dorsey and Manny Klein
Manny Klein
Manny Klein was a jazz trumpeter most associated with swing.He began with Paul Whiteman in 1928 and was active throughout the 1930s playing with several major bands of the era including the Dorseys and Benny Goodman. In 1937, he moved to California and worked with Frank Trumbauer's orchestra...
). At other times, he played with other bands; an example of this side of his career can be found in his work with Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer
Frankie Trumbauer
Orie Frank Trumbauer was one of the leading jazz saxophonists of the 1920s and 1930s. He played the C-melody saxophone which, in size, is between an alto and tenor saxophone...
in the Sioux City Six, as well as his frequent work with Joe Venuti's Blue Four.
His song "I Can't Face the Music" was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
on her 1962 Verve
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
release Rhythm is My Business
Rhythm Is My Business
Rhythm Is My Business is a 1962 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The album was recorded with a 'Big Band' and arranged and conducted by the American R&B organist Bill Doggett....
, in a fabulous swing/big band version with Bill Doggett
Bill Doggett
Bill Doggett was an American jazz and rhythm and blues pianist and organist. He is best known for his tracks, "Honky Tonk" and "Hippy Dippy", and variously working with The Ink Spots, Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Jordan.-Biography:William Ballard Doggett was born in...
.
According to some sources, his first name was pronounced like 'Ruby' by his friends.
He is buried in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont
Elmont
Elmont may refer to:*Elmont, New York*Elmont, Virginia*Elmont , a character in the Doonesbury comic strip...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Songs
- "Day In, Day OutDay In, Day Out"Day In, Day Out" is a popular song with music by Rube Bloom and lyrics by Johnny Mercer and published in 1939.According to Alec Wilder the song, 56 measures long, has a wonderful, soaring melodic line, free from pretentiousness, but full of passion and intensity which is superbly supported by the...
" - lyrics by Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others... - "Don't Worry 'Bout MeDon't Worry 'bout Me"Don't Worry 'bout Me" is a 1938 song composed by Rube Bloom, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler.-Notable recordings:*Dave Brubeck - Jazz Goes to College *Ella Fitzgerald - Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall...
" - lyrics by Ted KoehlerTed KoehlerTed L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also... - "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)"Fools Rush In" is a popular song. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer with music by Rube Bloom. The major hits at the time of introduction were Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle and Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra. It was also recorded by Billy Eckstine...
" - lyrics by Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others... - "Give Me the Simple Life" - with Harry RubyHarry RubyHarry Ruby was a Jewish American songwriter and screenwriter.After failing in his early ambition to become a professional baseball player,...
- "Good-for-Nothin' Joe" - lyrics by Ted KoehlerTed KoehlerTed L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
- "I Can't Face the Music" - lyrics by Ted KoehlerTed KoehlerTed L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
- "Out in the Cold Again"
- "The Man from the South"
- "Truckin'"
- "What Goes Up Must Come Down"
- "Mysterious MoseMysterious MoseMysterious Mose is a 1930 Fleischer Studios Talkartoon animated short released through Paramount Pictures. It was released in late December the same year. This film contains an early version of Betty Boop and the studio's star, Bimbo....
"