Irv Cottler

Irving Cottler (February 13, 1918 – August 8, 1989), a Hollywood, Los Angeles-based musician, and was a first-call drummer/percussionist. Cottler's credits include "L-O-V-E", "Impossible", "Stardust", and "Unforgettable" recorded with Nat King Cole. Cottler also recorded and performed live with Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Neal Hefti, Nelson Riddle, Count Basie, and many others.

In the early 1950s, Cottler was the drummer for the NBC live broadcasts from Hollywood, and for The Dinah Shore Show. Frank Sinatra made an appearance on the show and loved Cottler's distinctive sound. Sinatra offered Cottler double what NBC was paying him. Beginning in 1955, Cottler went on to perform as the drummer and percussionist on dozens of hit songs for multiple artists, including “(Love Is)The Tender Trap”, “South of the Border”, ”Love Is Here to Stay", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and "Nice 'n' Easy" with Sinatra. In the early 1960s, Cottler was the drummer and percussionist on many Disney films, including Herbie, The Jungle Book, and Mary Poppins.

Cottler died of a heart attack in Templeton, California, at the age of 71.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 13, 1918 (Brooklyn), Died August 8, 1989 (Templeton)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1967

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 64 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-066133 10-in. 6/24/1941 Let me off uptown Bluebird Orchestra ; Larry Clinton ; Butch Stone Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066134 10-in. 6/24/1941 Tenement symphony Bluebird Orchestra ; Larry Clinton ; Peggy Mann ; Butch Stone Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066135 10-in. 6/24/1941 I can't change my heart Bluebird Orchestra ; Larry Clinton ; Peggy Mann Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066136 10-in. 6/24/1941 What's the good of moonlight (When you haven't got a girl to love) Bluebird Orchestra ; Larry Clinton ; Peggy Mann ; Butch Stone Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067940 10-in. 9/30/1941 You'll never know Larry Clinton Orchestra ; Peggy Mann Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067941 10-in. 9/30/1941 Your words and my music Larry Clinton Orchestra ; Peggy Mann Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067942 10-in. 9/30/1941 Worried mind Larry Clinton Orchestra ; Butch Stone Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067943 10-in. 9/30/1941 That solid old man (is here again) Larry Clinton Orchestra ; Butch Stone Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 119508 8/16/1967 Green onions Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5234 12/2/1949 Sitting by the window Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5235 12/2/1949 Just for old times Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5236 12/2/1949 By the waters of Minnetonka Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5237 12/2/1949 Crew cut Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5349 1/24/1950 Bamboo Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5350 1/24/1950 One! Two! Three! Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5351 1/24/1950 Stormy weather march Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5352 1/24/1950 Carioca Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5397 2/20/1950 Smoke gets in your eyes Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5398 2/20/1950 Night and day Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5399 2/20/1950 All the things you are Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5400 2/20/1950 Stardust Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5575 4/25/1950 Cry, cry, cry Mildred Bailey instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5576 4/25/1950 Blue prelude Mildred Bailey instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5939 12/6/1950 Music by the angels Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca L 5940 12/6/1950 Would I love you Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 1-25 of 64 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Cottler, Irv," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/309979.

Cottler, Irv. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/309979.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/309979

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