From Tony Caramia, Professor of Piano, Eastman School of Music, "I found this on one website:"
There does not seem to be much published information available about Cy Walter, even such basic information as his date of birth (or even, ifit's unfortunately applicable, a date of his passing).
We have found that Walter was one of the pianists on one of Mabel Mercer's finest albums, "Mabel Mercer Sings Cole Porter," which was originally released on Atlantic Records in 1955, then re-issued in 1994. We can also tell you that selections from this album were included on a compilation of New York City cabaret called "Ertegun's New York Cabaret," released on Atlantic in 1987. But the Cy Walter trail is cold except for that.
I found out that he was born Sept. 16, 1915, and died August 18, 1968. Also, from Kinkle: Cocktail pianist with sophisticated style and musicianship, extensive repertoire. Educated at the U of Minnesota. To NY 1934, worked in clubs. 1945-51 at Drake hotel there. Late 1946-7 on Frank Sinatra radio show. Many appearances on Piano Playhouse radio show of 40s.
Again at Drake late 50s until death. Composer of "Some Fine Day," "Mrs. malaprop," "You are There," "Nocturne".
Obits in DownBeat (10/3/68) and Variety (8/21/68). Of course, we only have the former back to 1969, but it looks like the Art/Music Library and Rush Rhees has it back to 1968. Variety from that period is available at the Microtext Center and Rush Rhees under the call no. FILM .V2233.
Thanks to an internet buddy I've put together two cds of rare Cy Walter recordings.
The tunes: 1 It's Delovely, 2 Bess, You Is My Woman Now, 3 I'll
Take Romance
4 Mrs. Malaprop, 5 Daffne's Waltz, 6 All The Things You Are, 7
Moon River
8 My Favorite Things, 9 What's A Nova Bossa?, 10 My Geisha
11 Sweet Lorraine. 12 My Man's Gone Now, 13 When A Man Has Done
You Wrong
14 Just One Of Those Things, 15 Where Have You Been, and 16 ????
(I don't know the title)
1 Anything Goes / All Through The Night, 2 I Get A Kick Out Of
You
3 Say So / Music For Twilight, 4 You Are Too Beautiful / So Are
You
5 Begin The Beguine, 6 Blues In The Night, 7 Love For Sale
8 Crazy Rhythm, 9 April In Paris, 10 Body And Soul, 11 Paper Moon
Stan Freeman and Cy Walter
12 Chinatown, My Chinatown, 13 Penthouse Serenade, and 14 ? (I don't know the title)
