Charles Leighton (24 June 1921 – 26 June 2009) was an American classical and jazz harmonica player who performed from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s. After a hiatus while he managed a recording studio, he performed again in the 1980s until his death.[1] He performed as a soloist and as a member of international ensembles. He worked as a studio musician for radio, film, and television.
In the 1950s, Leighton founded JAC Recording, a small recording studio in his apartment in Manhattan. Several years later, the studio hired record producer Phil Ramone, who was mentored by Leighton and other audio engineers. Ramone attributes his love of engineering to Leighton.
Charles Leighton, a native New Yorker, taught himself to play the harmonica at the age of twelve. At age sixteen (1937), he toured the U.S., playing lead harmonica in vaudeville theaters with harmonica groups such as the Philharmonicas [2] and the Cappy Barra Harmonica Gentlemen. During the early 1940s, he worked in Hollywood, both in the studio and on screen, appearing in motion pictures for Columbia and RKO. He played country music on the radio with the Hollywood Barn Dance and The Hoagy Carmichael Show. He recorded with the Andrews Sisters, Johnny Bond, Merle Travis, and the Riders of the Purple Sage.
In the 1950s Leighton co-founded and operated JAC Recording, Inc., a recording studio, and abandoned performing. Years later a friend asked him to practice and record a harmonica transcription of a flute solo called "Poem" by Charles Griffes. Never having heard the piece and underestimating its difficulty, Leighton agreed to do it. He produced a studio recording, which motivated him to record a classical music album.[4]
For nearly 30 years until his death, Leighton hosted jam sessions at his apartment every Tuesday. He called it "Tuesdays at Leighton's". Members included Charles Spranklin, William Galison, Randy Weinstein, Stan Harper, Stanley Silverstone, Gregoire Maret, Phil Caltabelotta, and Rob Paparozzi.
Musicians: Dominic (Don Henry) Quagenti, Cham-Ber Huang (1925–2014), Charles Leighton, Frank (Moose) Mitkowski, Victor Pankowitz (né Victor Paulukewich; 1919–2000), Alan Pogson (né Joseph Alan Pogson; 1915–2006), Alan (Blackie) Schackner (né Irving Schackner; 2013–2013)
The Fi Is Hi, Eddy L. Manson (1958)
Musicians: Charles Leighton, Alan (Blackie) Schackner (né Irving Schackner; 2013–2013), Alan Pogson (né Joseph Alan Pogson; 1915–2006), Michael Chimes (1914–1970) (harmonicas); Eddy Manson (né Eddy Lawrence Manson; 1919–1996) (leader & arranger)
Harmonica: Alan (Blackie) Schackner, Alan Pogson, Chamber Huang, Charles Leighton, Eddy Manson (né Eddy Lawrence Manson; 1919–1996) (David's father), Leonard Schwartz, Michael Chimes, Richard Hayman
Other musicians: Accordion – Dominic Cortese (accordion), William Costa (accordion), Milt Hinton (bass), Maurice Brown (cello), Arthur Marotti (drums), Bob Rosengarden, Phil Kraus, Tony Mottola (guitar), Moe Wechsler (piano), Mac Ceppos (1905–1990) (violin)
Charles Leighton, Introduction to Jazz for the Chromatic Harmonica (book & audio tape), arranged and accompanied by Ted Simons on piano, The F & R Farrell Company (publisher & distributor),[ii]Grove City, Ohio (internet & mail-order harmonica retailer, now out of business) (1990) — An audio tape has harmonica alone on one side and harmonica with piano on the other side
Notes and referencesedit
Notesedit
^Tabby Andriello, also known as Frank Andriello (né Rocco Carmelo Andriello; 1920–1988), was a musician and an award-winning studio sound effects specialist
^The F & R Farrell Company, which sold harmonicas, closed in 2005 due to declining health of its proprietor, Richard E. Farrell (1920–2007)
Referencesedit
^Simons, Dave (1 November 2004). Studio Stories: How the Great New York Records Were Made: from Miles to Madonna, Sinatra to the Ramones. Hal Leonard. pp. 59–. ISBN978-1-61774-516-4.
^Field, Kim (1993). Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers: The Evolution of the People's Instrument. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 9, 15–16, 59–60, 84, 85, 90, 239, 243–244 (bio), 255–256, 286, 299, 314, 342. ISBN978-0-8154-1020-1.
^Currie, George Alexander (August 18, 1949). "Theater" (.pdf). Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.
^Norton, Cathy Anne (2001). Angel Eyes (booklet). Charles Leighton. Bridgeport, Connecticut: Mega Mouth Records.
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For the English painter see Charles Blair Leighton This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Charles Leighton news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message Charles Leighton 24 June 1921 26 June 2009 was an American classical and jazz harmonica player who performed from the mid 1940s to the mid 1950s After a hiatus while he managed a recording studio he performed again in the 1980s until his death 1 He performed as a soloist and as a member of international ensembles He worked as a studio musician for radio film and television Charles LeightonBorn 1921 06 24 June 24 1921DiedJune 26 2009 2009 06 26 aged 88 GenresJazz classicalOccupation s Musician audio engineerInstrument s HarmonicaYears active1940 2009LabelsJAC Recording In the 1950s Leighton founded JAC Recording a small recording studio in his apartment in Manhattan Several years later the studio hired record producer Phil Ramone who was mentored by Leighton and other audio engineers Ramone attributes his love of engineering to Leighton Contents 1 Career 2 Discography 2 1 As leader 2 2 As sideman 2 3 As engineer 3 Publications 4 Notes and references 4 1 Notes 4 2 ReferencesCareer editCharles Leighton a native New Yorker taught himself to play the harmonica at the age of twelve At age sixteen 1937 he toured the U S playing lead harmonica in vaudeville theaters with harmonica groups such as the Philharmonicas 2 and the Cappy Barra Harmonica Gentlemen During the early 1940s he worked in Hollywood both in the studio and on screen appearing in motion pictures for Columbia and RKO He played country music on the radio with the Hollywood Barn Dance and The Hoagy Carmichael Show He recorded with the Andrews Sisters Johnny Bond Merle Travis and the Riders of the Purple Sage Leighton served in the U S Coast Guard during World War II After the war he returned to New York and signed with USO Camp Shows and toured throughout Japan Korea and China entertaining the military While in the Coast Guard he formed a trio with Harry Halicki and Joe Pittello They toured after the war in the show Tars and Spars They performed with Henry Morgan Paul Whiteman and Kay Kyser 3 After touring with the USO Leighton returned to New York City to work as a studio musician playing on radio and television commercials and recording with Harry Belafonte Hugh Downs Clint Eastwood Andre Kostelanetz Dean Martin Mitch Miller Dinah Shore and Dionne Warwick In the 1950s Leighton co founded and operated JAC Recording Inc a recording studio and abandoned performing Years later a friend asked him to practice and record a harmonica transcription of a flute solo called Poem by Charles Griffes Never having heard the piece and underestimating its difficulty Leighton agreed to do it He produced a studio recording which motivated him to record a classical music album 4 For nearly 30 years until his death Leighton hosted jam sessions at his apartment every Tuesday He called it Tuesdays at Leighton s Members included Charles Spranklin William Galison Randy Weinstein Stan Harper Stanley Silverstone Gregoire Maret Phil Caltabelotta and Rob Paparozzi Discography editAs leader edit Classical Mega Mouth 2000 i Angel Eyes Mega Mouth 2001 As sideman edit Herb Shriner on Stage Herb Shriner Columbia 1955 Musicians Dominic Don Henry Quagenti Cham Ber Huang 1925 2014 Charles Leighton Frank Moose Mitkowski Victor Pankowitz ne Victor Paulukewich 1919 2000 Alan Pogson ne Joseph Alan Pogson 1915 2006 Alan Blackie Schackner ne Irving Schackner 2013 2013 The Fi Is Hi Eddy L Manson 1958 Musicians Charles Leighton Alan Blackie Schackner ne Irving Schackner 2013 2013 Alan Pogson ne Joseph Alan Pogson 1915 2006 Michael Chimes 1914 1970 harmonicas Eddy Manson ne Eddy Lawrence Manson 1919 1996 leader amp arranger Harmonica Holiday Richard Hayman Mercury 1961 Harmonica Alan Blackie Schackner Alan Pogson Chamber Huang Charles Leighton Eddy Manson ne Eddy Lawrence Manson 1919 1996 David s father Leonard Schwartz Michael Chimes Richard HaymanOther musicians Accordion Dominic Cortese accordion William Costa accordion Milt Hinton bass Maurice Brown cello Arthur Marotti drums Bob Rosengarden Phil Kraus Tony Mottola guitar Moe Wechsler piano Mac Ceppos 1905 1990 violin Liner notes Hal MooneyProducer Hal MooneyArranger Richard HaymanMarlene Van Planck loves Johnny Mercer Audiophile 1979 Sings Cole Porter Dionne Warwick Arista 1990 Musicians include Robbie Kondor Joe Mardin Rob Mounsey Clint de Ganon Wayne Pedziwiatr it Jeffrey Mironov Lou Marini Charles LeightonDouble Standards Jane Scheckter 1993 Not That Different Natalie Douglas 1999 Angel on a Harp Susan Rosenberg Mega Mouth 1999 As engineer edit The Joe Newman Memorial Album Joe Newman 1962 The New York Saxophone Quartet New York Saxophone Quartet 1980 Don t You Know Me Anne Marie Moss 1981 Time to Jump and Shout Widespread Depression Orchestra 1981 A Swinging Case of Masso Ism George Masso 1981 Children Are People Tony Randall 1977 Roaring Back into New York New York Bill Watrous 1983 New York Jam Phil Bodner 1981 The Peacocks Jimmy Rowles 1983 A Swingin Dream Buck Clayton 1988 Loves Johnny Mercer Marlene VerPlanck 1988 Musicians Marlene VerPlanck Tony Monte de Bucky Pizzarelli Milt Hinton Butch Miles drums Charlie Leighton Brian Koonin George H Buck First session recorded at JAC Recording New York New York September 1978 published and distributed by Audiophile Records 1979 Second session recorded at Rockland Studio New York New York August 2 1988Now and Forever Love Being Here With You Helen Forrest 1989 A Memorial Mary Osborne 1992 Rhythm Encounters Red Norvo 1996 Oh What a Memory We Made Tonight Peggy King 1997 Carmel Quinn s Ireland Carmel Quinn 2001 5 Publications editCharles Leighton Introduction to Jazz for the Chromatic Harmonica book amp audio tape arranged and accompanied by Ted Simons on piano The F amp R Farrell Company publisher amp distributor ii Grove City Ohio internet amp mail order harmonica retailer now out of business 1990 An audio tape has harmonica alone on one side and harmonica with piano on the other sideNotes and references editNotes edit Tabby Andriello also known as Frank Andriello ne Rocco Carmelo Andriello 1920 1988 was a musician and an award winning studio sound effects specialist The F amp R Farrell Company which sold harmonicas closed in 2005 due to declining health of its proprietor Richard E Farrell 1920 2007 References edit Simons Dave 1 November 2004 Studio Stories How the Great New York Records Were Made from Miles to Madonna Sinatra to the Ramones Hal Leonard pp 59 ISBN 978 1 61774 516 4 Field Kim 1993 Harmonicas Harps and Heavy Breathers The Evolution of the People s Instrument Rowman amp Littlefield pp 9 15 16 59 60 84 85 90 239 243 244 bio 255 256 286 299 314 342 ISBN 978 0 8154 1020 1 Currie George Alexander August 18 1949 Theater pdf Brooklyn Eagle p 4 Norton Cathy Anne 2001 Angel Eyes booklet Charles Leighton Bridgeport Connecticut Mega Mouth Records Charles Leighton Credits AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 20 October 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles Leighton amp oldid 1124607521, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
