Will Hudson (songwriter)

Biographical sources for Will Hudson (né Arthur Murray Hainer; March 8, 1908 Grimsby, Ontario – July 16, 1981 Isle of Palms, South Carolina) often incorrectly state that he was born in Barstow, California. He changed his name sometime between 1931 and 1933 — after his marriage to Eleanor Radtke (born 1912) in Detroit on August 15, 1931, and before his compositions were copyrighted under his new name.[2]

According to a manifest by the U.S. Department of Labor, Hainer had moved from Canada to the United States on November 14, 1909, and remained in the U.S. until July 14, 1928, before moving back to Canada, to reside at 152 Dougall Ave, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He lived at 1805 West Grand Blvd, Detroit. The manifest indicates that he moved out of Detroit on November 7, 1929.[3]

Hudson was a dance-band arranger, and co-leader with Eddie DeLange of the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra. Singers with the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra included Ruth Gaylor, in 1936; Mitchell Ayres (né Meyer Agress; 1910–1969), in 1937; Georgia Gibbs (formerly Fredda Gibson; née Frieda Lipschitz; 1919–2006); and Nan Wynn. When the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra was at the height of its popularity, around 1940, Hudson had to withdraw for health reasons.[4]

Hudson led his own band, the Will Hudson Orchestra, from 1939 to about 1941. Singers included Kay Kenny; Elisse Cooper, who, in 1944 married saxophonist Joseph Gabriel "Gabe" Gelinas; Jayne Dover (née Jane Rappaport), while signing with Van Alexander Orchestra;[5] and Ruth Gaylor.

Eddie DeLange co-led with Hudson the Hudson DeLange Orchestra and wrote the lyrics to several songs composed by Hudson. Notable musicians involved with the band include George Siravo (also with the Will Hudson Orchestra; on the clarinet), Edward ("Doc") Goldberg (bass); Mitchell Ayres, Mitchell Parish (lyricist), Georgia Gibbs (vocalist), Nan Wynn (vocalist), and Gus Bivona (clarinet).

In 1941, Hudson began focusing on arranging, full-time.

Hudson enlisted in the U.S. Army March 6, 1943 (SSN 090 03 4600), and served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He became the arranger for the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. Hudson was discharged September 23, 1945.

In 1948, Hudson enrolled at Juilliard, studying orchestration and composition with Wallingford Riegger, Henry Brant, and Vincent Persichetti — and earned a diploma in 1952 and post-grad diploma in 1953. He also studied composition privately.

His popular-music compositions include "Moonglow" (words Eddie DeLange; ©1934), "Tormented" (©1936), "Sophisticated Swing" (©1936), "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town" (©1937), "Devil's Kitchen" (©1935), "You're Not the Kind" (co-composed with Irving Mills; ©1936); and "Witch Doctor" (©1935).[6][7]

By 1937, Hudson had composed 50 hits, including:

• "Moonglow" (words Eddie DeLange; ©1934),
• "Sophisticated Swing" (©1936),
• "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town" (©1937)
• "Jazznocracy" (©1934)
• "Devil's Kitchen" (©1935)
• "You're Not the Kind" (co-composed with Irving Mills; ©1936)
• "Witch Doctor" (©1935)
• "White Heat" (©1934)
• "Popcorn Man" (1936), co-composed with Louis Klein (1888–1945) & William "Bill" Livingston (1911–1989)
• "Tormented" (©1936)
• "Monopoly Swing" (©1936), and the band's theme song
• "Love Song of a Half-Wit" (1936)
• "Eight Bars In Search of a Melody" (©1936)
• "Hobo on Park Avenue" (©1936).[6][7][9]

  Many of Hudson's compositions were published by Mills Music.

  The Hudson-Delange broadcast on Bandstand and recorded for Brunswick and Decca.

• "Tormented" (©1936)
• "With All My Heart and Soul" (©1934)
• "You're My Desire" (words, Hudson & Irving Mills, music Hudson; ©1937)
• "World Without You" (w&m Maria Kramer & Hudson; ©1940)
• "Start Jumpin'"
• "Three at a Table for Two"
• "Hi Ya Mr. Chips"
• "Peekin' at the Deacon"
• "On the Verge"

• "Hotcha Razz-Ma-Tazz"
• "Just an Error in the News"
• "The Man From Harlem"
• "Moonglow"
• "Moonlight Rhapsody" (©1935)

• "Cowboy in Manhattan" (©1935)
• "Devil's Kitchen (©1935)"