Alvino Rey
Background information
Birth name	Alvin McBurney
Born	July 1, 1907 Oakland, California
Died	February 2, 2004 Salt Lake City, Utah
Genre(s)	Swing, Jazz, Exotica.
Occupation(s)	Bandleader, Musical director, guitarist
Years active	1927-1994
Notable instrument(s)
Pedal steel guitar

Alvino Rey, born Alvin McBurney, was an American-born Swing era musician, often credited as the father of the pedal steel guitar. He was mainly associated with orchestral, big band and swing music, and towards the end of his career, jazz and exotica. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Oakland is the name of several places in the United States of America: Oakland, Alabama Oakland, California (The best-known city with this name) Oakland, Florida Oakland, Maine Oakland, Maryland Oakland, Michigan Oakland, Missouri Oakland, Nebraska Oakland, New Jersey Oakland, Oklahoma Oakland, Oregon Oakland, Pennsylvania Oakland, Rhode Island Oakland, Tennessee... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Musically, swing can be either: (written with small s) the rhythmic feeling evoked by swinging music, esp. ... For other article subjects named Jazz see jazz (disambiguation). ... Martin Dennys breakthrough album, Exotica Exotica is a musical genre, named after the 1957 Martin Denny album of the same title, popular during the late 1950s to mid 1960s typically with the suburban set who came of age during World War II. The musical colloquialism exotica means tropical ersatz... A bandleader is the director of a band of musicians. ... The title of music director is used by many symphony orchestras to designate the primary conductor and artistic leader of the orchestra. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... See also: 1926 in music, other events of 1927, 1928 in music and the list of years in music. Events January 8 - Alban Bergs Lyric Suite is premiered in Vienna July 1 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... See also: 1993 in music, other events of 1994, 1995 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music. // Events January 29 - The Supremes Mary Wilson is injured when her jeep hits a freeway median and flips over just outside of Los Angeles, California. ... Pedal steel guitar with two 10-string necks The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar incorporating a stand and pedals. ... The Swing Era was the period of time (1935-1946) when big band swing music was the most popular music in America. ... A musician is a person who plays or composes music. ... Pedal steel guitar with two 10-string necks The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar incorporating a stand and pedals. ... A philharmonic orchestra An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually a fairly large instrumental ensemble with string, brass, woodwind sections, and possibly a percussion section as well. ... A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from 1935 until the late 1940s. ... Musically, swing can be either: (written with small s), refers to swung notes, the rhythmic feeling evoked by swinging music, esp. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans at around the start of the 20th century. ... Martin Dennys breakthrough album, Exotica Exotica is a musical genre, named after the 1957 Martin Denny album of the same title, popular during the late 1950s to mid 1960s typically with the suburban set who came of age during World War II. The musical colloquialism exotica means tropical ersatz...

Early life

Alvin McBurney was born in Oakland, California, but moved to Cleveland, Ohio at age 10. His interest in music grew when he received a banjo as a birthday gift. He practiced amplifying acoustic instruments as a teenager, starting with this first banjo. His career began in 1927, when he played banjo with Ev Jones. He signed to Phil Spitalny that same year, playing electric guitar in Phil Spitalny's Orchestra. During this time he also studied guitar with vaudeville performer Roy Smeck. Oakland is the name of several places in the United States of America: Oakland, Alabama Oakland, California (The best-known city with this name) Oakland, Florida Oakland, Maine Oakland, Maryland Oakland, Michigan Oakland, Missouri Oakland, Nebraska Oakland, New Jersey Oakland, Oklahoma Oakland, Oregon Oakland, Pennsylvania Oakland, Rhode Island Oakland, Tennessee... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... AGE may refer to: advanced glycation endproduct A.G. Edwards, brokerage firm. ... A four-string banjo For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument of African origin, early or original examples sometimes being called the gourd banjo. One predecessor to the banjo is called the Akonting. ... Vaudeville is a style of multi-act theatre which flourished in North America from the 1880s through the 1920s. ... Cover of a 1928 instructional book for ukulele by Roy Smeck, the Wizard of the Strings. ...

Professional Musical Career

Horace Heidt

Alvin played in other bands, including alonside such names as Russ Morgan and Freddie Martin. In 1929, while shortly residing in New York, he changed his name to Alvino Rey, to coincide with the Latin music craze in the city. From 1935 to 1938 Alvin played pedal steel guitar in Horace Heidt's musical group, Horace Heidt And His Musical Knights, which was also comprised of the King Sisters. Here he pioneered the instrument, as well as becoming known for his unique sound.
Rey met his wife, Luise King, while in this band. They were married in 1937. See also: 1928 in music, other events of 1929, 1930 in music and the list of years in music. // Events May 3 - Francis Poulencs Concert champêtre for harpsichord and orchestra is premiered in Paris May 17 - Sergei Prokofievs Symphony No. ... NY redirects here. ... Latin American music, or the music of Latin America, is sometimes called Latin music. ... Pedal steel guitar with two 10-string necks The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar incorporating a stand and pedals. ... Horace Heidt (May 21, 1901 - December 1, 1986) was an American pianist, Big Band leader, radio and television personality, and entertainer. ...

Musical Knights Disbanding

When in 1938 the band landed a spot at the Baltimore Hotel in New York, Heidt was bitter and irritated that the sponsor signed them up because they were impressesd by Alyce King's vocals. he took the first opportunity to fire her - when she dropped her microphone and it hit an audience member. The other Sisters immediately resigned, followed by Alvino, and then saxophonist Frank DeVol. A microphone, sometimes referred to as a mike or mic (both IPA pronunciation: ), is an acoustic to electric transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. ... An audience is a group of people who participate in and experience or encounter a work of art, literature, theatre, music or academics in any medium. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored instrument of the woodwind family, usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece like the clarinet. ... Frank De Vol (September 20, 1911 - October 27, 1999) was an American actor and composer of film and television music. ...

Own Orchestra

Rey formed his own group with the Sisters (as lead singers) and Frank DeVol, heading for Los Angeles. The band was Mutual Broadcasting's houseband for three years, and through the band passed faces as Johnny Mandel, Skeets Herfurt, Neil Hefti, Dave Tough, Mel Lewis, Don Lamond, and three of Woody Herman's future "Four Brothers" sax section: Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, and Herbie Steward. Notable arragers in the band included Nelson Riddle, George Handy, Billy May, Ray Conniff, and the earlier-mentioned Frank DeVol.
In 1941 the group filled in for Dinah Shore at New York's Paramount Theatre, which led to more exposure. Soon afterwards they became one of the most popular acts in the country, even attaining top ten hits and making appearances in Hollywood films. 1942 saw Rey re-organizing the orchestra expanding the brass section. Although very popular, the Musicians' Union ban of 1943 meant they would never be able to record. Frank De Vol (September 20, 1911 - October 27, 1999) was an American actor and composer of film and television music. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Johnny Mandel (born November 23, 1925, New York) is an American composer and arranger of popular songs, film music and jazz. ... Neal Hefti (born October 29, 1922 in Hastings, Nebraska) is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger. ... Mel Lewis (May 10, 1929 - February 2, 1990) was a drummer, Jazz musician and band leader. ... Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987), better known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. ... Al Cohn (November 24, 1925–February 15, 1988) was an American jazz saxophonist and jazz arranger/composer. ... John Haley Zoot Sims was an American jazz musician. ... Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra, 1956 Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. ... William E. May, better known as Billy May (10 November 1916 - 22 January 2004) was a United States composer, arranger and musician. ... Ray Conniff Ray Conniff (born Joseph Raymond Conniff on November 6, 1916 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA, and died October 12, 2002, Escondido, California, USA) was an American musician. ... Dinah Shore (born Frances Rose Shore February 29, 1916 - February 24, 1994) was an American singer and actress. ... Paramount Theater is an Art Deco movie theater located in downtown Oakland, California, designed by architect Timothy L. Pflueger, who also designed San Franciscos Castro Theatre. ... ... There are several organizations calling themselves the Musicians Union: For the United Kingdom, see: Musicians Union (UK) For the United States of America, see listing by state: For Alabama, see Musicians Union (Alabama) Category: ‪Music stubs‬ ...

Navy Service, New Orchestra and Disbanding

The ban led to financial hardship for the band, who all took jobs at a local war-plant - the Lockheed aircraft factory in Burbank. Rey himself fulfilled the role of a mechanic; during this time the group disbanded. In 1944, Rey joined in the Navy, and led a service band while enlisted.
After his discharge in late 1945, he fromed a new orchestra. The band was signed onto Capitol Records and immediately produced a hit - a cover of Slim Gaillard's "Cement Mixer". Despite this, the band broke up circa. 1950, and Rey went on to lead smaller bands.
This continued through the 1950s, mostly in Southern California, and sometimes with his brother-in-law, Buddy Cole. The Lockheed SR-71, remarkably advanced for its time and unsurpassed in many areas of performance The Lockheed U-2 first flew in 1955 providing much needed intelligence on Soviet bloc countries Lockheed Corporation was an aerospace company founded in 1912 which merged with Martin Marietta in 1995 to form... An Airbus A380, currently the worlds largest passenger airliner An aircraft is any vehicle or craft capable of atmospheric flight. ... A factory worker in 1940s Fort Worth, Texas. ... Burbank is a common place name in English speaking countries. ... Look up Mechanic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The multinational Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) The British Grand Fleet, the supreme naval force of World War I A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ... United States Service Bands Each of the branches of the U.S. military, has a headquarters band organization, all but one of which are in the Washington, D.C. area. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... In pop music a cover version is a new rendition of a previously recorded song. ... Bulee Slim Gaillard (January 4, 1911 or 1916 - February 26, 1991) was an Cuban jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, noted for his scat singing and wordplay. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Look up brother-in-law in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... There is more than one Buddy Cole: For the jazz pianist and orchestra leader, see Buddy Cole (musician). ...

King Sisters Reunion

In the late 1950s, Rey served as musical director for the King Sisters.
In 1965, ABC aired a special featuring the King family, which grew into a series (called The King Family Show) spawning 5 seasons, from 1965 to 1969. Rey was musical director for the show.
Although chronological details are shaky, it is believed that, time-wise, it was after the ABC show that Rey worked on exotica projects with such artists as Esquivel, George Cates, and the Surfmen. The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... The word broadcast can refer to: Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals. ... The title of music director is used by many symphony orchestras to designate the primary conductor and artistic leader of the orchestra. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Martin Dennys breakthrough album, Exotica Exotica is a musical genre, named after the 1957 Martin Denny album of the same title, popular during the late 1950s to mid 1960s typically with the suburban set who came of age during World War II. The musical colloquialism exotica means tropical ersatz... This article is about the musician Juan Garcia Esquivel. ... George Cates (born October 19, 1911 - died May 12, 2002) was an American music arranger, conductor, songwriter and record executive known for his work with Lawrence Welk and his orchestra. ...

Late Career and Retirement

In the early 1990s, Rey moved with his wife Luise to Salt Lake City. Here he formed a jazz quartet which played local clubs. Luise would sometimes sit in. The couple finally retired in 1994. The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans at around the start of the 20th century. ... A quartet is a group of four identical or similar objects, or a grouping of four persons for a common purpose. ...

Death

Rey died from pneumonia and congestive heart failure in 2004, aged 95. This was 7 years after his wife's death in 1997. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the alveoli (microscopic air-filled sacs of the lung responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere) become inflamed and flooded with fluid. ... Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called congestive cardiac failure (CCF) or just heart failure, is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. ...

Trivia

• Rey's daughter, Liza Butler, is the mother of Win Butler & William Butler, members of Canadian indie rock group The Arcade Fire. The band has a song (My Buddy), performed with the aid of an orchestra credited as Alvino Rey Orchestra.

An expecting couple with their daughter A daughter is a female offspring; a girl, woman, or female animal in relation to her parents. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Win Butler Win Butler is the Texas-born lead vocalist and songwriter (along with wife Régine Chassagne) of the Montreal rock band The Arcade Fire. ... William Butler is a band member of the band The Arcade Fire. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... In music, a band is a company of musicians, or musical ensemble, usually popular or folk, playing parts of or improvising a musical arrangement on different musical instruments. ... The Arcade Fire is an indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada comprising band members Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld, and Jeremy Gara. ... A song is a relatively short musical composition for the human voice (commonly accompanied by other musical instruments), which features words (lyrics). ...

References

General information sources:

• Jazz Journalists Association: http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=1078099444
• SpaceAgePop.com: http://www.spaceagepop.com/rey.htm
• Solid!: http://www.parabrisas.com/d_reya.php