Jazz Musician, Bandleader. He was an early 20th century Jewish American entertainer, which included being a violinist, songwriter, actor, and bandleader. Born Benjamin Anselvitz, he began his career in Vaudeville. He had the Vaudeville act "Bernie and Baker" with Phil Baker starting in 1913 and ending at the end of World War I. Educated at the New York College of Music, City College of New York, and Columbia School of Mines, he joined his first orchestra in 1922. For the next twenty years he successfully toured with Maurice Chevalier, and appeared on radio and in films. His films include "Stolen Harmony" in 1935, "Shoot The Works" in 1934 and "Love And Kisses" and "Wake Up And Love" both in 1937. In 1925 his orchestra recorded the song that he co-wrote "Sweet Georgia Brown," which became the theme song for the basketball greats, Harlem Globetrotters. This song is still recognized as a favorite in the 21st century. Other songs that he wrote include "Who's Your Little Whozis," "I Can't Believe It's True," "Holding My Honey's Hand," "A Bowl Of Chop Suey And Yooey," "After The Dance Was Over," "Was Last Night The Last Night?," "Ain't That Marvelous , My Baby Loves Me," and "Strange Interlude." He suddenly died of a pulmonary embolism at age 52. His Hollywood Walk of Fame Star was dedicated on February 8, 1960. He married twice and had a son, Jason H. Bernie, with his first wife.
Jazz Musician, Bandleader. He was an early 20th century Jewish American entertainer, which included being a violinist, songwriter, actor, and bandleader. Born Benjamin Anselvitz, he began his career in Vaudeville. He had the Vaudeville act "Bernie and Baker" with Phil Baker starting in 1913 and ending at the end of World War I. Educated at the New York College of Music, City College of New York, and Columbia School of Mines, he joined his first orchestra in 1922. For the next twenty years he successfully toured with Maurice Chevalier, and appeared on radio and in films. His films include "Stolen Harmony" in 1935, "Shoot The Works" in 1934 and "Love And Kisses" and "Wake Up And Love" both in 1937. In 1925 his orchestra recorded the song that he co-wrote "Sweet Georgia Brown," which became the theme song for the basketball greats, Harlem Globetrotters. This song is still recognized as a favorite in the 21st century. Other songs that he wrote include "Who's Your Little Whozis," "I Can't Believe It's True," "Holding My Honey's Hand," "A Bowl Of Chop Suey And Yooey," "After The Dance Was Over," "Was Last Night The Last Night?," "Ain't That Marvelous , My Baby Loves Me," and "Strange Interlude." He suddenly died of a pulmonary embolism at age 52. His Hollywood Walk of Fame Star was dedicated on February 8, 1960. He married twice and had a son, Jason H. Bernie, with his first wife.
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A B
ANZELEVITZ
BERNIE
BEN BERNIE
NO FATE CAN SEVER
TWO WHO PLANNED
TO CARE FOREVER
MAY 30, 1891 - OCT. 20, 1943
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