Carmen Cavallaro

Born on May 6, 1913, in New York City, Carmen Cavallaro earned the nickname "The Poet of the Piano." Although steeped in classical technique, he gradually shifted toward pop stylings modeled on his primary influence, Eddy Duchin. Following four years as featured soloist in Al Kavelin's orchestra, Cavallaro joined additional society ensembles in 1937, among them those directed by Abe Lyman, Enric Madriguera, and Meyer Davis. By the early 1940s he had formed his own ensembles and established a reputation through hotel engagements and radio broadcasts. Relocating to Hollywood in 1944, he took screen roles in Hollywood Canteen, Out of This World, and The Time, the Place and the Girl; the following year he also enjoyed success with the single "Chopin's Polonaise." After the war Cavallaro added an NBC radio series, The Sheaffer Parade, to his credits. Under contract to Decca he issued popular 78s such as Cavallaro Plays Ellington, Music at Midnight, and For Latin Lovers. In 1956 he supplied the piano work heard in the Tyrone Power biopic The Eddy Duchin Story. Cavallaro died in 1989.