LOS ANGELES–Van Alexander, the three-time Emmy-nominated composer and band leader who co-wrote “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” with Ella Fitzgerald and went on to score dozens of films and TV shows in the 1950s and ’60s, died of heart failure Sunday, July 19, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center here. He was 100.
MSTies will remember his work as the musical score composer for the movie in episode 601- GIRLS TOWN.
Thanks to my angels of death, Duane and Paul, for the heads up.
He left this world too soo… no, wait, I guess he actually overstayed his welcome (and this comes from someone who is in the same boat).
Yesterday I ran into a gentleman at the supermarket who was 99, and doing his own shopping and looking very fit. He called me “sonny”. I didn’t know there was anyone around who could still do that (call me “sonny”, that is).
GIRLS TOWN features some swinging music — you’ll be missed, Mr. Alexander. (And compared to you, Mamie is but a youngster.)
At first I thought Rip Van Alexander had died.
He was a genuine professional with a brilliant knack for memorably tuneful incidental music. I miss those between scene flourishes. His work in Girls Town is expert film scoring, running seamlessly alongside the featured pop tunes.
It must’ve been fun to get to work with Ella Fitzgerald.
@1
the oldest person i met was 102 (was about 5 years ago). she was with her daughter (or granddaughter i forget).
@4
Billie Holiday would have been fun too (i know he didn’t work with her, but still).
Maybe he just thought you were James Caan?
Marc Myers conducted an interview with Alexander in 2012 — http://www.jazzwax.com/
There are also many excellent photos. (It’s the posting for today, July 22.)
What a guy!!! I used to live next door to Van in Encino. He is the only other guy that I know who actually set his own gopher traps, with success.
A gentleman’s gentlemen, R.I.P, Van.