Ray Noble
Ray Noble had an odd career. Most notable as the composer of "The Very Thought of You," "I Hadn't Anyone Till You," "The Touch of Your Lips," "Goodnight Sweetheart" and "Cherokee" (as well as leader of the orchestra which backed the popular radio show of Edgar Bergen), Noble was an important bandleader in the 1930s but he never seemed to reach his potential. Classically trained as a pianist, Noble was more interested in dance music and he won a big band arranging contest sponsored by Melody Maker in England. He became the musical director for the important HMV label (1929-34) and led a series of recordings with his New Mayfair Dance Orchestra (1930-34) which often featured the vocals of Al Bowlly. The music was dance-oriented with a slight influence of jazz. Building on his popular success, in 1935 Noble came to the United States where he led his finest orchestra during 1935-37, often playing at the Rainbow Room. His band included for a time trombonist-arranger Glenn Miller (who was very influenced by Noble's approach and arranging style, "borrowing" "Moonlight Serenade" from Noble's book), Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Erwin, Charlie Spivak, Johnny Mintz, Claude Thornhill and Will Bradley. However after the orchestra broke up in 1937, Noble became much more famous as an emcee on radio and then eventually for his depiction of a pompous and foolish Englishman in comedy bits. In addition to those roles, Noble occasionally led dance bands but by the mid-'50s he had largely retired. Few today probably realize who the Ray Noble was that composed "Cherokee!"
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Volume 10: Rarities and US recordings
Pop - Released by Classic Hits OMP on 2 Aug 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Ray Noble & His All Star American Orchestra, 1935 - 36
Jazz - Released by Jazz Band on 26 May 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Gypsy Fiddles
Jazz - Released by Jazz League Music on 5 Aug 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Slumming On Park Avenue
Jazz - Released by CoolNote on 1 Jan 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In The Shadow of A Crow
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Albany on 1 Mar 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ray Noble & His All Star American Orchestra, 1935 - 36
Ray Noble, His All Star American Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Flyright Records on 26 May 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Thought of You
Dance - Released by Jasnet Records on 1 Apr 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Happy Hollidays
Soundtracks - Released by SINETONE AMR on 21 Mar 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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