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Ted Shapiro
View on WikipediaKey Information
Ted Shapiro (October 31, 1899 – May 26, 1980) was a United States popular music composer, pianist, and sheet music publisher.
Early life
[edit]Shapiro was born on October 31, 1899, in New York City.[1] He became a Tin Pan Alley songwriter and accompanied notable star vaudeville singers of the day, including Nora Bayes and Eva Tanguay.[1] Shapiro was hired as accompanist and music director for Sophie Tucker; replacing the "Five Kings of Syncopation" on her 1922 tour to London.[2] Shapiro worked with Tucker until her death in 1966,[3] appearing at the piano on stage with her, exchanging banter and wisecracks between songs. Shapiro also wrote a number of songs for Tucker.[2]
Popular compositions
[edit]Ted Shapiro became a member of ASCAP in 1924.[4] His biggest hits were the holiday standard "Winter Weather" from 1941, and "If I Had You", first published in 1928, which continues to be covered by new recording artists and used in movie soundtracks into the 21st century. His other successful tunes and songs include "He's Home for a Little While", "A Handful of Stars", "To You", written with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Davis, "Far Away Island", "Sitting in the Sand A-Sunnin'", "Now I'm In Love", ""You'll Be Reminded of Me", "Starlight Souvenirs", "This is No Dream", "Dog on the Piano",[3] "Puttin' On the Dog", "Waitin' for Katy", and "Ask Anyone in Love".[1]
Personal
[edit]Ted Shapiro was one of at least three children of Joseph and Jennie Shapiro.[citation needed] His parents were Jewish immigrants from Kovno, Russia (now Kaunas, Lithuania).[citation needed] He was married twice. He married Joan Max of Miami, Florida in Chicago, Illinois, on May 17, 1936.[5] On December 20, 1953, he married Susan Frazier in Miami Shores, Florida.[6]
Shapiro retired to Bay Harbor, Florida in 1966 following the death of Sophie Tucker.[7] There his wife Susan Shapiro (b. November 4, 1923), a jewelry designer, owned and operated a store called Trifles and Treasures on Kane Concourse.[7] Some of his songs were written in collaboration with his wife Susan.[citation needed] Ted adopted Susan's three children: John, Lynn and Jennifer. John and Lynn are Susan's biological children, while Jennifer was adopted.[citation needed]
Ted Shapiro died on May 26, 1980, at his home in Bay Harbor, Florida, at age of 80.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Warren W. Vaché (2000). "Ted Shapiro". The Unsung Songwriters: America's Masters of Melody. Scarecrow Press. p. 448. ISBN 9780810835702.
- ^ a b Armond Fields (2003). Sophie Tucker: First Lady of Show Business. McFarland & Company. p. 100. ISBN 9780786415779.
- ^ a b Jasen, David A. (2007). Ragtime: An Encyclopedia, Discography, and Sheetography. Routledge. p. 59.
- ^ American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (1980). "Ted Shapiro". ASCAP Biographical Dictionary. Jaques Cattell Press. p. 458.
- ^ "Marriages". Billboard. 48 (22): 82. May 30, 1936.
- ^ "MARRIAGES". Variety. 193 (3): 63. December 23, 1953.
- ^ a b "Vaudeville: Ted Shapiro la Fla. Retirement". Variety. 242 (8): 60. April 13, 1966.
- ^ "OBITUARIES: Ted Shapiro". Variety. 299 (5): 87. June 4, 1980.
Ted Shapiro
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Ted Shapiro was born on October 31, 1899, in New York City. [1]Career
Vaudeville accompanist
Ted Shapiro began his professional career in the early 20th century as a vaudeville accompanist, serving as a pianist for several prominent performers during the height of the vaudeville era. [3] [4] He provided piano accompaniment for major stars including Nora Bayes and Eva Tanguay, establishing a reputation for supporting the biggest names in vaudeville before transitioning to a long-term role with another performer in 1922. [3] [4] In addition to his vaudeville work, Shapiro appeared as a pianist on jazz recording sessions with trombonist Miff Mole during the late 1920s. [3] He also made minor film appearances as an accompanist, including in Honky Tonk (1929) and uncredited in Sensations of 1945 (1944). [4]Collaboration with Sophie Tucker
Ted Shapiro's enduring collaboration with Sophie Tucker began in 1922, when he was hired as her accompanist and music director to replace the Five Kings of Syncopation for her tour to London. [5] This marked the start of a 44-year professional partnership that lasted until Tucker's death in 1966, during which Shapiro served as her onstage pianist, providing accompaniment while the two engaged in lively banter and wisecracks between numbers. Their onstage dynamic, combining musical support with humorous exchanges, became a signature element of Tucker's performances across vaudeville circuits, theater engagements, and numerous recordings. [2] Shapiro also contributed as a songwriter, composing several songs specifically tailored for Tucker's style and persona, which she featured prominently in her act. [6] Their joint appearances spanned decades of live shows and studio work, solidifying Shapiro's role as an integral part of Tucker's success as the "Last of the Red-Hot Mamas." [2] Upon Tucker's death in 1966, Shapiro retired from his position as her accompanist and music director, bringing the long partnership to a close. [5]Songwriting and publishing
Ted Shapiro joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1924, marking his formal entry into the organization's roster of professional songwriters. [7] This membership supported his activities in creating and promoting popular music during the Tin Pan Alley era. As a sheet music publisher, Shapiro played a role in the distribution and promotion of songs, contributing to the commercial side of the music industry alongside his creative work. [8] He collaborated with a range of notable songwriters, including Tommy Dorsey, Benny Davis, Jack Lawrence, and Gus Kahn, on various compositions. [9] His collaborations extended beyond his primary association with Sophie Tucker, encompassing partnerships across the popular music landscape. In his songwriting process, Shapiro occasionally received credits under his surname alone or jointly with his wife Susan Shapiro. Among his specific co-writing credits are "To You," co-written with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Davis, and "A Handful of Stars," co-written with Jack Lawrence. [9] These works exemplify his contributions to the American popular song repertoire through joint efforts with leading figures in jazz and Tin Pan Alley.Notable compositions
Shapiro's notable compositions include:- "If I Had You" (1928), co-written with Jimmy Campbell and Reginald Connelly [2]
- "A Handful of Stars" (1940), co-written with Jack Lawrence [2]
- "To You" (1939), co-written with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Davis [2]
- "(I Love the) Winter Weather" (1941) [2]
- Songs for Sophie Tucker such as "Nobody Loves a Fat Girl (But Oh How a Fat Girl Can Love)" and "The Older They Get the Younger They Want 'Em" (1944) [2]