{back to main page} CHARLES LaVERE Photograph by John Engstead, Hollywood Established to administer the original compositions of respected jazz pianist and vocalist Charles LaVere, including "Boogaboo Blues", "It's All In Your Mind", "Love Lies" and "Very 8'n Boogie". (affiliated with ASCAP) INDEX: Biography, Vere's Tunes - Catalog of titles, collaborators, performing artists and major recordings BIOGRAPHY adapted and amended from John Chilton's Who's Who Of Jazz: CHARLES LaVERE Born: Salina, Kansas, July 18, 1910 (birth name: Charles LaVere Johnson) Died: Ramona, California, April 28, 1983 piano/saxophone/trombone/cornet/accordion/vocals/arranger/composer Piano from the age of seven, began professional career with a cousin, Stan Weis, as 'Dan and Stan'. Published first composition, "Please Don't Go Away", Salina, Kansas, 1928. To Oklahoma City (1928), played alto sax (with Charlie Teagarden on trumpet) in Herb Cook's Oklahoma Joy Boys. Left Oklahoma University for Summer tour with Frank Williams and his Oklahomans, was stranded in New York, played with Etzi Covato in Pittsburgh (1929). Gigged around Oklahoma City (1930-2) with own bands and those of Clarence Tackett, Johnny Dorchester (playing trombone), Rabie Cummins, Boyd Schreffler, Goof Moyer and Tracy-Brown; also toured twice with Marshall Van Pool (replacing Stanley Wrightsman). To Bermuda with Sam Robbins (1931), playing trombone before the Prince of Wales; later toured with Roy Ingraham, and Freddie Bergin (replacing Bob Zurke). To Chicago late 1932, led own bands and with those of Wingy Manone and Jack Teagarden on first records (1933). With Joe Marsala (1934), also toured Texas and the mid-west with Eddie Neibauer and Dell Coon. First recorded composition, 1935: "The Blues Have Got Me", Harlem Hot Shots (Wingy Manone). Led own all-star recording group in Chicago (1935): Preston Jackson, Joe Marsala, Boyce Brown, Jess Stacy, Zutty Singleton, and Jabbo Smith, with whom he wrote and recorded the first inter-racial blues vocal recording in the history of jazz. Did radio work (1935-7) with Rico Marcelli (duo-pianos with Dave Rose), played trumpet with Joe Sanders (1935), then piano with Henry Busse! To New York in 1937, accompanied Bert Froman, then joined Paul Whiteman, with whom he was a featured performer with Jack & Charlie Teagarden in "Teagarden, LaVere & Teagarden, the Swing Wing Trio" early 1938. In Los Angeles joined Frank Trumbauer (1938), then began extensive work in radio and recording studios in Hollywood first with Skinnay Ennis, then Victor Young, John Scott Trotter and Gordon Jenkins, regularly accompanying Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes and a host of other stars (1939-50). Also with Johnny Cascales (aka Johnny Richards) (1939) and John Riley Scott (1940). Had million-seller record (1948) as vocalist on 'Maybe You'll Be There' (Gordon Jenkins' first hit). Led own LaVere's Chicago Loopers (1944-50) on records and at 1949 Dixieland Jubilee. From 1950-4 worked regularly with Country Washburne on radio, also performed and recorded with the Sextet from Hunger. Co-wrote (with Tom Adair) and performed in 'Golden Horseshoe Revue' at Disneyland (1955-60), winning its place as the most performed stage show in the Guinness Book of World Records. Recorded as blues vocalist on "The Letter" with Judy Garland (1958). Toured as accompanist for George Burns (1959-60), then led own quintet (with Deane Kincaide) in New York (1960-1). Moved to Las Vegas (1961) and reorganized Bobcats for Bob Crosby, later with Wingy Manone (1963), duo with Danny Sherrett, and many solo residencies. To Southern California (1963), more solo spots and spell with Jack Coon, also assistant conductor at Melodyland Theatre. Played piano (and accordion!) on two cruises to Australia and the South Seas. With Russ Morgan in Las Vegas as pianist and arranger (1967), then organised own piano-repair and tuning service in Southern California. Later solo residencies in California, Oregon and Colorado resort areas. Compositions include: "The Blues Have Got Me", "Cuban Boogie Woogie", "It's All In Your Mind", "Mis'ry & The Blues". Quoted and amended from Jazz - The Rough Guide (Penguin, 1995): CHARLIE LaVERE Piano, leader, vocals, b. Salina, Kansas, 18 July 1910; d. 28 April 1983. Charlie LaVere (Charles LaVere Johnson) is principally remembered for a set of irresistible recordings made with his Chicago Loopers, a studio group featuring Jack Teagarden, Billy May, Matty Matlock, George Van Eps, Floyd O'Brien and little-known cornetist Rico Vallese. The man behind these sessions was at the time one of Hollywood's busiest musicians, a studio regular who accompanied Bing Crosby (1939-47) and played on sessions for a multitude of stars, having already worked with Teagarden, Wingy Manone and Paul Whiteman. A capable singer and fine composer, LaVere later played at Disneyland (1955-9) and with Bob Crosby, but his Chicago Loopers remain his seminal contribution to jazz history. [DF] * LaVere's Chicago Loopers (1944-50; Jump). Recorded in four sessions, these titles have become the definition of Dixieland perfection; the superbly arranged "Carolina In The Morning" and LaVere's own lovely "It's All In Your Mind" are highlights, but all sixteen tracks are essential listening. Catalog of titles, collaborators, performing artists and major recordings All Too Well (earlier version) (recorded by Charles LaVere & His Chicagoans)  All Too Well (later version) (recorded by Charles LaVere) Beguine (recorded by John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra) Blue for My Brown County Home aka, "Bound for My Brown County Home" (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) Blue Boogie (recorded by Charles LaVere) Blue Toluca Moonlight (recorded by Charles LaVere) The Blues Have Got Me (recorded by Charles LaVere, Wingy Manone as "Harlem Hot Shots", and Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra; performed by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra) Blues In E Flat (transcription by Frank Paparelli of performance by Charles LaVere printed in May 1937 issue of Down Beat) Blues On The "88" (recorded by Charles LaVere) Boogaboo Blues (recorded by Charles LaVere & His Chicagoans) California (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) Christmas The Cocktail Party Upstairs (co-written with Paul Mason Howard) Cottage On A Hill Top (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) Cuban Boogie Woogie (co-written with Bonnie Lake) (recorded by the orchestras of Charlie Barnet, Bob Chester, Jack Jenney, Ken Killian, Andy Kirk, John Scott Trotter, and Bob Zurke) [controlled by Bonnie Lake Productions, ASCAP] Don't The Moon Look Lonesome Evening (co-written with Tom Adair) Ever the Rain Shall Fall (recorded by Clyde Rogers) First You've Got To Fall In Love (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) For The Love Of Jo(e) Futuristic Melody Happiness Is Only A State of Mind Hello Everybody (co-written with Tom Adair) (recorded by Betty Taylor & Donald Novis) [presently controlled by Walt Disney Music] I Don't Want to Be President (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) (recorded by Charles LaVere) If I Had The Chance (co-written with Sammy Gallop) (recorded by Charles LaVere) In Later Years (recorded by Charles LaVere) It's All In Your Mind (recorded by Bobby Hackett, Teddi King, Charles LaVere, Jack Teagarden with LaVere's Chicago Loopers, Jay Unger & Molly Mason, Sarah Vaughan and Jack Teagarden & His Sextet; performed by Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra, Don Ingle & The Michigan Nighthawks, and Joe Sardaro) Jealous Lies (recorded by Jim & Linda Wheeler) Lacey Waltz A Lady Has to Mind Her P's and Q's (co-written with Tom Adair) (recorded by Betty Taylor) [presently controlled by Walt Disney Music] Love Lies (composed by W. Dean Rogers, arranged by Charles LaVere) (recorded by Jack Teagarden with LaVere's Chicago Loopers, and Ralph Sutton) Love of My Life Manakoora Moonlight Marjorie (co-written with Tom Adair) Maxine (recorded by Charles LaVere) Mis'ry and The Blues (recorded by Jack Teagarden & His Sextet, Johnson "Fat Cat" McRee, Maria Muldaur, and Del Rey & The Blues Gators) Moon Over Muncie (co-composed with Andy Secrest) (recorded by the Sextette From Hunger; performed by John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra) Nothing Can Ruin A Nice Rainy Day Like The Sunshine (co-written with Steve Shoemaker) (recorded by Martha Tilton) Noumea Muu Muu Please Don't Go Away Riverboat Blues (co-written with Tom Adair) (recorded by Jack Teagarden, performed by Judy Marsh, and Betty Taylor) Soothing Syrup (recorded by Charles LaVere) Subdivided in F (co-composed with Glenn "Gotch" Hughes) (recorded by LaVere's Chicago Loopers) Sunday Jones (co-written with Bonnie Lake) Theme [recorded by (Skitch) Henderson & (Charles) LaVere] Two Martinis Ubangi Man (recorded by Charles LaVere & His Chicagoans) Very 8'n Boogie (recorded by LaVere's Chicago Loopers; performed by Deacon Jones Quartet, and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra) Way Down In Old New Orleans (recorded by Charles LaVere) What Have We Here (Wally Boag's Fun and Hi Jinks) (co-written with Tom Adair) (recorded by Wally Boag) [presently controlled by Walt Disney Music] Whatcha Doin' Babe (recorded by Charles LaVere) When There's Nothing Left But Goodbye (co-written with Tom Adair) White Wine and Velvet A Yokel From Yonkers (recorded by the Sextet From Hunger; performed by LaVere's Chicago Loopers) To proceed with aquiring a license for use of this music, click here.   {back to main page}