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Mel Torme

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist.

Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in his early teens. In the early 1940s, he quit high school to became a boy singer (and drummer and part-time arranger) with Chico Marx's band.

His first fame coincided with Frank Sinatra's, and the two appeared together in their first film, "Higher and Higher." He wanted to be a jazz singer, "but I got sidetracked," he said. His manager "felt the way to the gold was for me to become a crooner. For a long period I was singing mushy, sentimental songs." His publicist coined the name, "The Velvet Fog," to describe his smooth style but he hated it (hecklers called him "The Velvet Frog").

In 1944, he formed his own vocal group, the Mel-Tones, which included a young Les Baxter and Henry Mancini's future wife, Ginny O'Connor. The Mel-Tones had several hits, on their own as well as paired with Artie Shaw's band. "What is This Thing Called Love?," which later became a jazz standard, was their biggest. The Mel-Tones were among the first of the jazz-influenced vocal groups, setting the direction later followed by the Hi-Los and the Manhattan Transfer.

In 1947, he broke out as a solo artist, and has stayed in fairly steady, if not spectacular, demand, since then. He had one #1 hit, "Careless Love," in 1949, and several minor hits, among them "Mountain Greenery" in 1956. He recorded several LPs in the mid-1950s with the Marty Paich Dektette, a collection of some of the best West Coast jazz performers, that are considered his best work. In 1962, he had a surprise hit with "Comin' Home, Baby," arranged by Claus Ogerman, a driving R&B-flavored number that more than a few mistook for something by Ray Charles, particular with its call-and-response bits with a female back-up group sounding remarkably similar to the Raelettes. Quincy Jones and Kai Winding both had hits with killer instrumental covers of this great tune. Ethel Waters, a great jazz and gospel singer, once said that Torme "is the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man."

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Radio & Podcasts

Gang Violence

Read "Gang Violence" reviewed by Patrick Burnette


After almost a decade of planning and putting it off, the boys finally face their greatest fear: group jazz singing. What happens when three or four hipsters harmonize? Is it safe to even try to find out? Mike's not sure about that, but we tried anyway, and came up with this insight: you can't keep a good Boswell down. In pop matters, Pat brags about having seen all three incarnations of The Bad Plus live, so stay tuned for that.

274
Album Review

Mel Torme: Velvet Moods Featuring the Original California Suite

Read "Velvet Moods Featuring the Original California Suite" reviewed by David Rickert


Few mastered every aspect of jazz singing like Mel Tormé did, from scat singing to vocal groups to arranging and composing to just plain crooning the hell out of a tune. However, more people know of Tormé than actually have him in their collection, which is a shame for jazz fans since he is more jazz-oriented than those who group him with the easy listening crowd suspect. Velvet Moods is a good representation of what Tormé was up to, while ...

201
Album Review

Mel Torm: The Classic Concert Live

Read "The Classic Concert Live" reviewed by George Harris


Back in '82 when this concert was recorded at Carnegie Hall, Mel Tormé was just starting his vocal ascent out of a slump by beginning a long and fruitful musical friendship with pianist George Shearing. Joined with Gerry Mulligan's big band, Tormé is in excellent form as he swings through an enthusiastic set of standards, bebop, and Ellingtonia.

This recording is quite important because it fills in gaps in each of the headliners' respective careers. Mulligan produced only one other ...

149
Album Review

Mel Torme: Torme

Read "Torme" reviewed by David Rickert


“That Old Feeling,” the first track on Torme’s 1958 self-titled album, is a lively tune tinged with sadness – he’s happy to see his old lover, but he recognizes that he won’t fall in love again until he gets over her, which isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. On the next track, it’s a lonely Sunday morning, it’s gloomy, and he hasn’t been able to sleep. The somber mood pervades the rest of the album, turning this into a soundtrack ...

317
Multiple Reviews

Vocal Goodies II: Classic Singers

Read "Vocal Goodies II: Classic Singers" reviewed by David Rickert


Mel Torme Torme Verve 1958

“That Old Feeling , the first track on Torme's self titled album, is a lively tune tinged with sadness ï" he's happy to see his old lover, but he recognizes that he won't fall in love again until he gets over her, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon. On the next track, it's a lonely Sunday morning, it's gloomy, and he hasn't been able to sleep. The somber ...

136
Album Review

Mel Torme: The London Sessions

Read "The London Sessions" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Professionalism, I suppose, implies the ability to perform to the best of one's ability in spite of whatever obstacles are placed in one's path. In June 1977, when the late Mel Tormé recorded the songs that comprise The London Sessions, he relates that he was nervous, apprehensive, and nearly exhausted after a long flight from jny: New York City, and preoccupied by thoughts of a soon-to-be-held divorce trial that would end his ten-year marriage to an Englishwoman. Nevertheless, ...

134
Album Review

Mel Torm: Live At The Playboy Jazz Festival

Read "Live At The Playboy Jazz Festival" reviewed by Jim Santella


Recorded at his final Playboy Jazz Festival appearance, this 36-minute session was envisioned by Mel Tormé as a tribute to the Swing Era. As was his habit, the singer created an eclectic set that included a little of everything: vocal with piano accompaniment, vocal interacting with big band, the singer with his reliable trio, and much more. Tormé was the consummate professional who never lost the fresh energy that sparked every appearance he made. His distinctive voice and his animated ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today!

Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Recording

Mel Torme: Sings About Love

Mel Torme: Sings About Love

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

I was never a big Mel Tormé fan. So many of his recordings were heavy-handed and overly rendered, like drowning perfectly good pancakes in a lake of syrup. The problem is that Tormé was an incorrigible ham. Born with vocal gifts he maximized early, Tormé was reflexively intent on rubbing everyone's face in it. The hustler never stopped hustling. All of which takes nothing away from Tormé's talent, only his taste. Terry Teachout goes into further analysis of Torme's shortcomings ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today! Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mel Torme

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Mel Torme's birthday today! Mel Torme was among the most enduring singers from the big-band era, maligned by some as the epitome of lounge singer, acclaimed by many more as one of a talented and serious vocalist. Legend has it that Torme began singing for his supper a Chicago restaurant when he was four and was working the vaudeville circuit soon after. He worked as a child actor on radio, and began writing songs in ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Velvet Moods...

Cherry Red Records
2007

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The Classic Concert...

Concord Music Group
2005

buy

The London Sessions

Audio Fidelity
2003

buy

Torme

Verve Music Group
2003

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In The Studio And In...

Concord Music Group
2001

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