Hoagy Carmichael: The Gentleman of Jazz and American Songbook
American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader, renowned as one of the most sophisticated and influential songwriters of the 20th century, contributing timeless classics to the Great American Songbook.
Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Carmichael initially pursued law but was irresistibly drawn to music, particularly jazz. He achieved legendary status composing enduring jazz standards like 'Stardust,' 'Georgia on My Mind,' 'The Nearness of You,' and 'Heart and Soul.' He also enjoyed a successful career as a character actor in Hollywood films, often appearing as a laid-back, wisecracking pianist.
- Despite earning a law degree from Indiana University in 1926 and briefly practicing law, Carmichael abandoned the profession within a year to fully dedicate himself to music, driven by his passion for jazz.
- The iconic melody for 'Stardust' came to Carmichael spontaneously while walking near Indiana University's campus in 1927; he famously rushed to the Book Nook, a student hangout, to play it on the piano before forgetting it.
- Carmichael had a significant acting career, appearing in over a dozen films between the 1940s and 1950s. His most famous role was the piano-playing Cricket in 'To Have and Have Not' (1944), where he performed his own songs alongside Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
- He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951 for 'In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening,' written with Johnny Mercer for the film 'Here Comes the Groom.'
- Known for his distinctive, relaxed, slightly gravelly singing voice and casual piano style, he became a recognizable radio and recording personality.
- Carmichael died of heart failure exacerbated by emphysema on December 27, 1981, in Rancho Mirage, California.
