Cliff Burwell

Clifford R. Burwell (October 6, 1898 – October 10, 1976) was an American pianist and composer. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut on October 6, 1898. His most popular composition was "Sweet Lorraine," with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. He played piano in dance bands in the 1920s, including touring with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. His compositions included "Swing Express to Harlem" "Going Wacky" and "Why." He became the pianist and arranger for the Rudy Vallee band in 1928. The song "Sweet Lorraine" was introduced on the radio by Rudy Vallee in 1928. That year it was recorded by Vallee and also Johnny Johnson & his Hotel Statler Pennsylvanians. It was recorded by Isham Jones in 1932 and Teddy Wilson in 1935 both for Brunswick. The King Cole Trio recording on Decca in 1940 established Nat King Cole as a singer. He played piano with the Rudy Vallee band from 1928 to 1943. He died in New Haven on October 10, 1976.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1898, Died 1977

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, songwriter

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

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BVE-45575	10-in.	6/11/1928	Sweet Lorraine	Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Victor	BS-021625	10-in.	3/25/1938	Sweet Lorraine	Benny Goodman Trio	Jazz/dance trio	composer
Victor	BS-054689	10-in.	8/6/1940	Sweet Lorraine	Dick Todd	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	composer
Victor	BVE-Test-152	10-in.	6/4/1928	Sweet Lorraine	Rudy Vallée	Male vocal solo, with piano	composer, instrumentalist, piano
Victor	BVE-Test-153	10-in.	6/4/1928	Georgie Porgie	Rudy Vallée	Male vocal solo, with piano	instrumentalist, piano
Columbia	W146307	10-in.	5/18/1928	Sweet Lorraine	Radiolites	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Columbia	146356	10-in.	5/28/1928	Sweet Lorraine	Lou Gold Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	composer
Brunswick	E29492	10-in.	Mar. 1929	I never guessed	Copley Plaza Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G)	composer, songwriter
Brunswick	C2121	10-in.	7/23/1928	Sweet Lorraine	Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Burwell, Cliff," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111187.

Burwell, Cliff. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111187.

"Burwell, Cliff." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.