Russ Morgan

From 1965 was based in Las Vegas at the Dunes Hotel, "The Top of the Strip".

Organised his first society orchestra at the Biltmore Hotel in New York in 1935 (with the help of Rudy Vallee), eventually gaining national exposure through sponsored radio shows like "The Philip Morris Program" and "The Rinso Show". Morgan later had his own TV show during the 1950's, which featured former Dorsey vocalist Helen O'Connell.

Former coal miner turned popular "sweet" (as opposed to swing) bandleader and occasional actor from c. 1930 until his death. Recorded almost exclusively for American Decca (now MCA) records.

Musical director for Jean Goldkette in 1926, afterwards active in the same capacity for radio station WXYX in Detroit. Morgan also variously worked in the early 1930's as staff conductor for NBC and as recording director for the American Record Company.

Sold his first arrangements while in his teens. In the early 1920's, he arranged for Victor Herbert and John Philip Sousa. From the end of the decade, he wrote for Cotton Club revues and arranged for top musicians like Louis Armstrong ("Body and Soul"), Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and the Dorsey Brothers.

Russ Morgan was born on April 29, 1904 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Shirley.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1751 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.