Mercury 78 #70937 Richard Hayman & Jan August "Sadie's Shawl" "Carnival In Rome"

A Mercury Label from 1956. Richard Hayman is most famous for being the principal arranger at the Boston Pops Orchestra for over 30 years where his award-winning arrangements are still used today. His biggest hit was the 1953 single "Ruby". Hayman took the theme for the motion picture "Ruby Gentry", and through his specially stylized arrangement, utilizing a harmonica as the solo instrument with a large, quasi-symphonic orchestra, the song zoomed to the top of the hit parade all over the world and brought about a renewed interest in the harmonica. It should also be mentioned that the flip side of the 45rpm and 78rpm single hit "Ruby" was the hit "Dansero" which also became an international favorite hit.

Jan August started his musical career as a pianist in Paul Specht's Orchestra. Some years later, he worked as a pianist and xylophonist with both Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofe. He was performing as a solo club pianist in the mid-1940s. August had a number of bands but his greatest fame came playing with Jerry Murad's 'Harmonicats' for the Broadway musical "Pal Joey." He later recorded with Jerry Murad and the Harmonicats and also with Richard Hayman. His most popular recordings specialized in the Latin-American sound.  

This recording is exceptionally clean and clear sounding with only incidental wear. Outstanding audio! Conservatively rated as excellent!

Side 13420 presents "Sadie's Shawl", an instrumental, and side 13421 features a second instrumental of, "Carnival In Rome". Both are jointly performed by Richard Hayman & Jan August.