Billy Mayerl

Billy Mayerl

Billy Joseph Mayerl (May 31, 1902- March 25, 1959), was an English pianist and composer who built a career in music hall and musical theatre and became an acknowledged master of light music. Best known for his syncopated novelty piano solos, he wrote over 300 piano pieces, many of which were named after flowers and trees, including his best known composition, "Marigold" (1927).

He also composed works for piano and orchestra, often in suites with evocative names such as the 'Aquarium Suite' (1937), comprising "Willow Moss", "Moorish Idol", "Fantail", and "Whirligig".

Early life

Mayerl was born into a musical family on London's Tottenham Court Road, near the West End theatre district. He began piano lessons at an early age and by the age of 7 he was studying at the Trinity College of Music. In his teens, he supplemented these lessons by accompanying silent movies (even, according to one source, selling ice cream during intermissions) and playing at dances.

Attracted to American popular music, Mayerl joined a Southampton hotel band in 1921. Subsequently he joined the Savoy Savanna Band in London, which led to him becoming a celebrity.

Fame

In 1926, he left the Savoy and opened his 'School of Syncopation' which specialised in teaching modern music techniques such as ragtime and stride piano. This in turn, led to the long running correspondence course on 'How to play like Billy Mayerl'. It was during this period that he wrote his most famous solo 'Marigold'. By the late 30's his correspondence school is said to have over 100 staff and 30,000 students. It finally closed in 1957.

Mayerl appeared as the soloist in the London premiere of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

In the 1930s Mayerl composed several works for the musical theatre include Sporting Love opening at the Gaiety Theatre, London in 1934, Twenty to One (1935) and Over She Goes (1936).

Mayerl was a prolific broadcast and recording artist.

Mayerl died in 1959 from a heart attack.

External links

* [http://www.perfessorbill.com/comps/wmayerl.shtml Noted ragtime historian "Perfessor" Bill Edward's biography of Mayerl, with a comprehensive list of compositions]
*http://www.rfsoc.org.uk/bmayerl.shtml
*http://www.billymayerlsociety.co.uk/ Billy Mayerl Society


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