Bernie Leighton

Bernie Leighton (January 30, 1921 – September 16, 1994) was an American jazz pianist.

Leighton was born in West Haven, Connecticut. He first played professionally at the end of the 1930s. He played with Bud Freeman, Leo Reisman, Raymond Scott (1940) and Benny Goodman (1940-41) before serving in the Army. Following his discharge, he worked as a studio sideman, with Dave Tough (1946), Billie Holiday (1949), Neal Hefti (1951), Goodman again, Artie Shaw (1953), John Serry, Sr. (1956), James Moody (1963) and Bob Wilber (1969). He did a tour with Tony Bennett in 1972-73.

While Leighton was best known as a sideman, he also recorded extensively as a leader; he recorded for Keynote Records in 1946, Mercury Records in 1950, an LP on Columbia Records in 1950, Brunswick in 1951, LPs for Disneyland and Capitol in 1957, and a tribute to Duke Ellington released in 1974.

His instrumental cover of Connie Francis' "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" on the Colpix label in 1962 reached #101 on Billboard's listing.

Leighton has a cameo role in the film Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). He died in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 30, 1921 (West Haven), Died September 16, 1994 (Coconut Creek)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1949 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano

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

Recordings (Results 51-55 of 55 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Signature H-57 approximately 1950-1951 Sixty minute man Johnny Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Signature H-58 approximately 1950-1951 Smooth sailing Johnny Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Signature H-62 approximately 1950-1951 Down yonder Bernie Leighton instrumentalist, piano  
Signature SRC 2018 10-in. approximately 1949-1950 Bewildered Bernie Leighton instrumentalist, piano  
Signature SRC 2160 10-in. approximately 1949-1950 Bewitched Bernie Leighton instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 51-55 of 55 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Leighton, Bernie," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106216.

Leighton, Bernie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106216.

"Leighton, Bernie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106216

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