Jerry Ross (composer)

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This article is about the composer known for working with Richard Adler. For the songwriter who worked with Kenny Gamble, see Jerry Ross (record producer).

Jerry Ross
Birth nameJerold Rosenberg
Born(1926-03-09)March 9, 1926
The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 1955(1955-11-11) (aged 29)
Occupation(s)Lyricist, composer

Jerry Ross (born Jerold Rosenberg; March 9, 1926 – November 11, 1955) was an American lyricist and composer whose works with

Tony Awards
in 1955 and 1956, respectively, in both the "Best Musical" and "Best Composer and Lyricist" categories.

Biography

Jerold Rosenberg was born in

Yiddish theater.[2]

Following high school, he studied at New York University under Rudolph Schramm. Introductions to singer Eddie Fisher and others brought him into contact with music publishers at the Brill Building, the center of songwriting activity in New York. (Fisher later had a hit with Ross’ The Newspaper Song.)

Ross met Richard Adler in 1950,[2] and as a duo they became protégés of the great composer, lyricist, and publisher Frank Loesser. Their song Rags to Riches was recorded by Tony Bennett and reached number 1 on the charts in 1953.[2] They also had a jazz novelty hit with Anita O'Day's recording of "No Soap, No Hope Blues".[3]

Adler and Ross began their career in the Broadway theater with John Murray Anderson's Almanac, a revue for which they provided most of the songs (resulting in recordings of Acorn in the Meadow by Harry Belafonte and Fini by Polly Bergen). The revue opened in 1953 and ran for 229 performances.[4]

Adler and Ross's second effort,

Donaldson Award and the Variety Drama Critics Award. Two songs from the show, "Hernando's Hideaway" (for Archie Bleyer) and "Hey There" (for Rosemary Clooney), topped the Hit Parade. Other notable songs were "Steam Heat" (choreographed on stage by Bob Fosse
), "Small Talk", and "Seven and a Half Cents".

Their next musical,

Heart", recorded by Eddie Fisher, and "Whatever Lola Wants" for Sarah Vaughan
.

Death

Jerry Ross died on November 11, 1955, at the age of 29, from complications related to the lung disease bronchiectasis. In his short life, Ross was extremely productive; he wrote, alone or in collaboration, more than 250 songs in addition to his theatre work.

Ross was entered posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982,[7] his widow, Judy, and daughter, Janie, accepting on his behalf.

References

  1. ^ "Jerry Ross" masterworksbroadway.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Jerry Ross Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "No Soap, No Hope Blues". discogs.
  4. ^ "John Murray Anderson’s Almanac" Playbill. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  5. ^ The Pajama Game ibdb.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  6. ^ Damn Yankees Playbill. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Jerry Ross" songhall.org. Retrieved August 3, 2018.

External links


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