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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDUCHIN, Eddy(b 10 April 1910, Cambridge MA; d 9 February 1951, NYC) Pianist, bandleader. Like Frankie Carle, he played a sweet style but without offending and not too ornate, sometimes with a one-finger melody line. He studied pharmacy, and turned to full-time music c.1929, his good looks and style attracting fans; he formed his own band in 1931. Popularity was reflected by many records on Victor, Brunswick, Columbia; radio work and films included The Hit Parade '37 (also with Duke Ellington); his theme was "My Twilight Dream'. After military service '42-5 he was still popular with a bigger, better band, but his peak had passed and his career was shortened by leukemia. Biopic The Eddy Duchin Story '56 with Tyrone Power had Carmen Cavallaro playing piano; an album of that name on Columbia compiled reissues while the Decca soundtrack was a no. 1 album in Billboard. His son Peter Duchin (b 28 July 1937, NYC) is also a talented pianist and bandleader, indeed the East coast's society bandleader, more high society than many of his clients. Peter was also on the board of directors of a Harlem dance theatre, NY State Council on the Arts, etc. |