Turner Layton (July 2, 1894 – February 6, 1978),[1] born John Turner Layton, Jr., was an African American songwriter, singer and pianist. He frequently worked with Henry Creamer.
Turner Layton (left) and his musical partner Clarence Johnstone in 1933Sheet music cover for a patriotic Creamer & Layton song, 1918
Born in Washington, D.C., United States, in 1894, he was the son of John Turner Layton, "a bass singer, music educator and hymn composer."[2] After receiving a musical education from his father, he attended the Howard University Dental School, later coming to New York City in the early 1900s, where he met future songwriting partner, lyricist Henry Creamer.[3] Layton is best known for his many compositions with Creamer, the best known of which is the standard "After You've Gone", written in 1918[4] and first popularized by Sophie Tucker. Turner and Creamer had another hit with "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" in 1922.[3] It was recorded in 1927 by Frank Trumbauer (with Bix Beiderbecke), and was a rock and roll hit for Freddy Cannon in 1959. Turner and Layton contributed music and lyrics to many Broadway shows, including the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917, 1921 and 1922, Three Showers (1920), Some Party (1922) and Creamer's own Strut Miss Lizzie (1922).[2]
Beginning in 1924, Layton found major popular success in England with Clarence "Tandy" Johnstone[5] as a member of the group Layton & Johnstone, quickly earning a reputation as a cabaret act, with the pair allegedly selling over 10 million records.[6] Layton split with Johnstone in 1935 (after Johnstone had been named in Albert Sandler's divorce), with Johnstone returning to New York and continuing to perform with significantly less success.[3] Layton continued to perform in England.[3] An elegant song stylist, he held a regular, successful spot over the years at the Café de Paris, a London club, until his retirement in 1946.[3]
He died in London in February 1978, at the age of 83.[1]
Recordingsedit
Two albums of Layton & Johnstone recordings have been issued on CD in the UK - on ASV Living Era (CD AJA 5426) and Flapper (PAST CD 9712). Two compilation albums of recordings by Layton have been released on CD.
Legacyedit
His daughter A'Lelia Shirley inherited his musical estate and left the copyright and royalties to her father's music to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London in her will on her death in January 2001.[1]
turner, layton, july, 1894, february, 1978, born, john, african, american, songwriter, singer, pianist, frequently, worked, with, henry, creamer, left, musical, partner, clarence, johnstone, 1933sheet, music, cover, patriotic, creamer, layton, song, 1918, cont. Turner Layton July 2 1894 February 6 1978 1 born John Turner Layton Jr was an African American songwriter singer and pianist He frequently worked with Henry Creamer Turner Layton left and his musical partner Clarence Johnstone in 1933Sheet music cover for a patriotic Creamer amp Layton song 1918 Contents 1 Life 2 Recordings 3 Legacy 4 Notable compositions 5 References 6 External linksLife editBorn in Washington D C United States in 1894 he was the son of John Turner Layton a bass singer music educator and hymn composer 2 After receiving a musical education from his father he attended the Howard University Dental School later coming to New York City in the early 1900s where he met future songwriting partner lyricist Henry Creamer 3 Layton is best known for his many compositions with Creamer the best known of which is the standard After You ve Gone written in 1918 4 and first popularized by Sophie Tucker Turner and Creamer had another hit with Way Down Yonder in New Orleans in 1922 3 It was recorded in 1927 by Frank Trumbauer with Bix Beiderbecke and was a rock and roll hit for Freddy Cannon in 1959 Turner and Layton contributed music and lyrics to many Broadway shows including the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917 1921 and 1922 Three Showers 1920 Some Party 1922 and Creamer s own Strut Miss Lizzie 1922 2 Beginning in 1924 Layton found major popular success in England with Clarence Tandy Johnstone 5 as a member of the group Layton amp Johnstone quickly earning a reputation as a cabaret act with the pair allegedly selling over 10 million records 6 Layton split with Johnstone in 1935 after Johnstone had been named in Albert Sandler s divorce with Johnstone returning to New York and continuing to perform with significantly less success 3 Layton continued to perform in England 3 An elegant song stylist he held a regular successful spot over the years at the Cafe de Paris a London club until his retirement in 1946 3 He died in London in February 1978 at the age of 83 1 Recordings editTwo albums of Layton amp Johnstone recordings have been issued on CD in the UK on ASV Living Era CD AJA 5426 and Flapper PAST CD 9712 Two compilation albums of recordings by Layton have been released on CD Legacy editHis daughter A Lelia Shirley inherited his musical estate and left the copyright and royalties to her father s music to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London in her will on her death in January 2001 1 Notable compositions edit After You ve Gone Dear Old Southland Goodbye Alexander Goodbye Honey Boy It Must Be Love Strut Miss Lizzie Way down Yonder in New Orleans References edit a b c West Hampstead Life The eventful life of singer and composer Turner Layton Westhampsteadlife com Retrieved 25 September 2021 a b Peterson Bernard L Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People 1816 1890 Greenwood Press 2000 p 164 a b c d e Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 1441 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 Parker Bernard S 2007 World War I Sheet Music Volume 1 Jefferson North Carolina McFarland amp Company p 20 ISBN 978 0 7864 2798 7 Friedwald Will A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers New York Pantheon Books 2010 p 582 Layton amp Johnstone Biography Songs amp Albums AllMusic Retrieved 25 September 2021 External links editBiography at AllMusic Turner Layton recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Turner Layton amp oldid 1179726089, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
