The Mel-Tones

Mel Tormé was introduced to a young vocal group "The School Kids" in 1943. This group changed their name to "The Mel-Tones" later.

Changed Name to Mel Tormé

Mel Torme changed his name to "Mel Tormé" early in 1940. He couldn't remember who changed it and how it came to pass.

Songs Recorded on Feb. 22 #2

The following songs of "Songs for Any Taste" were recorded in Hollywood on February 22, 1957. It was 50 years ago.

* It's All Right with Me
* Manhattan
* Taking a Chance on Love
* Home by the Sea
* I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
* De Lovely
* Tenderly
* I Wish I Were in Love Again
* Autumn Leaves (part ii)
* Nobody's Heart

Songs Recorded on Feb. 22

The following songs of "Mel Tormé at the Crescendo" were recorded in Hollywood on February 22, 1957. It was 50 years ago.

* It's Only a Paper Moon
* What Is This Things Called Love
* One For My Baby
* Love Is Just a Bug
* A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
* Autumn Leaves
* Just One of Those Things
* The Boy Next Door
* Lover Come Back to Me
* Looking at You
* The Tender Trap
* I'm Beginning to See the Light

Fell in Love with Drums

At the night when Mel Tormé began his career, he fell in love with drums. Mel Tormé remembered well that Carlton Coon, the drummer and the co-leader of the Coon-Sanders Orchestra, lifted little Melvin Howard Torme up onto his lap behind the drums.

Swingin' on the Moon

Swingin' on the Moon Mel Tormé Polygram 1998-06-23 by G-Tools

Voice Had Changed

By the time when Mel Tormé was fourteen years old, his voice had changed. So he wasn't getting as many offers to play kid parts on radio as like before.

Won at Singing Contest

In 1934, Melvin Howard Torme won the contest that was called the "Radio Auditions Finals" at the Chicago World's Fair. Then he played on many radio programs in Chicago.

Debut at Four Years Old

Mel Tormé's career as an entertainer began in 1929. At that time he was four years old. He sang "You're Driving Me Crazy" with the Coon-Sanders Orchestra at the Blackhawk Restaurant in Chicago. For your information Mel Tormé's first guarantee was fifteen dollars per evening and dinner for his father, mother and himself.

Songs Recorded on Feb. 11

The following songs of "Mel Tormé Swings Subert Alley" were recorded in Los Angeles on February 11, 1960. It was 47 years ago.

* The Surrey with the Fringe on Top
* On the Street Where You Live
* Just in Time
* Old Devil Moon

Was His Name "Mel Torma"?

Mel Tormé's parents came from Russian-Jewish backgrounds. Mel Tormé's mother was born in America, but father came from Russia with his family when he was eleven.

When the family reached Ellis Island, immigration officer glanced at the name-tag card pinned to Mel Tormé's grandfather's coat. It read "Torma" but the "a" was indistinct. The officer said: "Torme. Your name is Torme." He stamped the papers, and the former Tormas were changed their name as the "Tormes" by the officer.

Reference Book

Mel Torme: A Chronicle of His Recordings, Books and Films George Hulme Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub 2000-12 売り上げランキング : 661611 Amazonで詳しく見る by G-Tools

It Wasn't All Velvet
By Mel Tormé
Viking Penguin Inc.

Born in Chicago

Melvin Howard Torme was born in Chicago on September 13, 1925.