Will Hudson (songwriter)


Will Hudson '' was a Canadian-born American composer, arranger, and big band leader who worked from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s.

Early years

Hudson was born in Grimsby, Ontario, March 8, 1908. Print-media biographies state that he was born in Barstow, California. However, Hudson's U.S. Naturalization application indicates otherwise. Grimsby, then of Lincoln County, the county of which, in 1970, became amalgamated into a county-like governmental body known as the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Hudson, with his parents, immigrated to the United States November 13, 1909 — at the age of. He grew up in Detroit and graduated from Southeastern High School in June 1926. Hainer put together his first big band in Detroit in the early 1930s. Hudson became a United States citizen on April 14, 1941.

Name change

Biographical sources for Will Hudson '' often incorrectly state that he was born in Barstow, California. He changed his name sometime between 1931 and 1933 — after his marriage to Eleanor Radtke in Detroit on August 15, 1931, and before his compositions were copyrighted under his new name.

Citizenship

According to a manifest by the U.S. Department of Labor, Hainer had moved from Canada to the United States on November 14, 1909, and remained in the U.S. until July 14, 1928, before moving back to Canada, to reside at 152 Dougal, Windsor, Canada. He lived at 1805 West Grand. The manifest indicates that he moved out of Detroit on November 7, 1929.

Career

Hudson joined ASCAP in 1934.
At some point during the early 1930s, Hudson became a staff arranger for Irving Mills, writing stock arrangements. Mills — notable in various roles in the development of swing and jazz — was as much a promoter of songwriters, arrangers, and big bands as he was a publisher. Mills was known to have included his name as co-author of works that he did not write, but published. This was a common method of including music promoters in royalties.

Bands

Hudson was a dance-band arranger, and co-leader with Eddie DeLange of the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra. Singers with the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra included Ruth Gaylor, in 1936; Mitchell Ayres , in 1937; Georgia Gibbs ; and Nan Wynn. When the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra was at the height of its popularity, around 1940, Hudson had to withdraw for health reasons.
Hudson led his own band, the Will Hudson Orchestra, from 1939 to about 1941. Singers included Kay Kenny; Elisse Cooper, who, in 1944 married saxophonist Joseph Gabriel "Gabe" Gelinas; Jayne Dover '', while signing with Van Alexander Orchestra; and Ruth Gaylor.
Eddie DeLange co-led with Hudson the Hudson DeLange Orchestra and wrote the lyrics to several songs composed by Hudson. Notable musicians involved with the band include George Siravo, Edward Goldberg ; Mitchell Ayres, Mitchell Parish, Georgia Gibbs, Nan Wynn, and Gus Bivona.
In 1941, Hudson began focusing on arranging, full-time.

World War II

Hudson enlisted in the U.S. Army March 6, 1943, and served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He became the arranger for the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. Hudson was discharged September 23, 1945.

Post-World War II

In 1948, Hudson enrolled at Juilliard, studying orchestration and composition with Wallingford Riegger, Henry Brant, and Vincent Persichetti — and earned a diploma in 1952 and post-grad diploma in 1953. He also studied composition privately.
His popular-music compositions include "Moonglow", "Tormented", "Sophisticated Swing", "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town", "Devil's Kitchen", "You're Not the Kind" ; and "Witch Doctor".

Selected discography

By 1937, Hudson had composed 50 hits, including:
; "Moonglow"
; "You're Not the Kind of Boy for a Girl Like Me"
; "The Man From Harlem"
; "Cowboy in Manhattan"
; "Jazznochracy"
; "Organ Grinder's Swing"

Selected copyrights