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Harry Akst
Vintage sheet music for
"Baby Face"
words and music by Harry Akst
and
Benny Davis
(1926)
Basic Information
Born: August 15, 1894, New York City
Died: March 31, 1963 (age 68), Hollywood, California
Primary songwriting role: composer; also a pianist and conductor
Co-writers: frequently Lew Brown, Sidney Clare, Grant Clarke, and Benny Davis (Click here for a database of Harry Akst's co-writers.)
Robert Kimball and Linda Emmet. The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin. New York: Alfred A. Knoph, 2001/Applause Theater and Cinema Books, 2005, paperback edition.
Akst's "early career was as a pianist and accompanist. For 4 years he was beside Nora Bayes. In 1916 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While at Camp Upton, Akst befriended another young composer, Irving Berlin. Together, the two would create the # 2 recording from 1921, 'Home Again Blues'. By World War II, he again joined the war effort, this time as an accompanist and band leader for Al Jolson's overseas tour." (fromThe Songwriters Hall of Fame Biography of Akst)
Ed's. note: From 1919 to 1921 Akst was Berlin's "musical secretary." In The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, both Berlin and Akst are credited with music and lyrics for "Home Again Blues" (Kimball and Emmet, p. 221). This is one of the few Berlin songs where writing credit is shared.
"Jolson's songwriter and accompanist, Harry Akst, was one of those who discovered Garland on the road and smoothed her way from vaudeville to a Hollywood contract." (From Camille Paglia, "Judy Garland as a Force of Nature," New York Times, June 14, 1998.)
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Master List of Great American Songbook Songwriters
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, New York: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (1966 edition, entry pp. 7-8).