Vernon Duke

Vernon Duke

Vernon Duke (10 October [O.S. 27 September] 1903 – 16 January 1969) was a Russian-born American composer/songwriter who also wrote under his birth name, Vladimir Dukelsky. He is best known for "Taking a Chance on Love," with lyrics by Ted Fetter and John Latouche (1940), "I Can't Get Started," with lyrics by Ira Gershwin (1936), "April in Paris," with lyrics by E. Y. ("Yip") Harburg (1932), and "What Is There To Say," for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, also with Harburg. He wrote the words and music for "Autumn in New York" (1934) for the revue Thumbs Up! In his book, American Popular Song, The Great Innovators 1900-1950, composer Alec Wilder praises this song, writing, “The verse may be the most ambitious I’ve ever seen." Duke also collaborated with lyricists Johnny Mercer, Ogden Nash, and Sammy Cahn.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 10, 1903 (Parafjanava), Died January 16, 1969 (Santa Monica)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, lyricist, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 42 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BVE-63113	10-in.	7/10/1930	I am only human after all	Frank Luther ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-75342	10-in.	3/1/1933	A penny for your thoughts	Roy Bargy ; Ramona	Piano duet and instrumental ensemble, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-77615	10-in.	9/6/1933	This is romance	Leo Reisman Orchestra ; Arthur Wright	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-78090	10-in.	10/5/1933	This is romance	Ray Sinatra ; Conrad Thibault	Baritone vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	composer
Victor	BS-78589	10-in.	11/24/1933	Suddenly	Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-78590	10-in.	11/24/1933	What is there to say?	Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BVE-78820	10-in.	11/29/1933	April in Paris	Hotel Pierre Orchestra ; Henry King ; Joseph Sudy	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-86088	10-in.	12/5/1934	Autumn in New York	Richard Himber ; Joey Nash ; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer, lyricist
Victor	BS-98454	10-in.	12/23/1935	Words without music	Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-98455	10-in.	12/23/1935	That moment of moments	Eddy Duchin Orchestra ; Lew Sherwood	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-02159	10-in.	10/16/1936	Now	Al Bowlly ; Ray Noble Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	CS-011675	12-in.	8/7/1937	I can't get started	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-018413	10-in.	1/26/1938	Piano tuner man	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-043248	10-in.	10/30/1939	I can't get started	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	BS-043308	10-in.	10/24/1939	I can't get started	Dick Todd	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	PBS-049690	10-in.	5/13/1940	April in Paris	Artie Shaw Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	PBS-055184	10-in.	12/3/1940	This is romance	Artie Shaw Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	PBS-055185	10-in.	12/3/1940	What is there to say?	Artie Shaw Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	BS-057003	10-in.	10/17/1940	The Yankee Doodle polka	Meredith Blake ; Gray Gordon ; Tic-Toc Rhythm Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble	composer
Victor	BS-057387	10-in.	11/12/1940	Taking a chance on love	Kaydets ; Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio	composer
Victor	BS-057718	10-in.	11/19/1940	Cabin in the sky	Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-058792	10-in.	1/9/1941	Taking a chance on love	Ruth Gaylor ; Teddy Powell Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-066875	10-in.	7/21/1941	April in Paris	Leo Reisman Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	BS-068372	10-in.	11/27/1941	Not a care in the world	Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters	Jazz/dance band, with vocal	composer
Victor	BS-068374	10-in.	11/27/1941	A nickel to my name	Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters	Jazz/dance band, with vocal	composer

(Results 1-25 of 42 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Duke, Vernon," accessed November 6, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102913.

Duke, Vernon. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102913.

"Duke, Vernon." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 November 2024.