Jeff Alexander

• Name — Jeff Alexander • Birth Name — Myer Goodhue Alexander • Alias — Myer Alexander • Born — 2 July 1910 • Birthplace — Seattle, U.S. • Died — 23 December 1989 • Place of death — Whidbey Island, Washington, U.S. • Instrument — Piano • Occupation — * Conductor • arranger • composer

Born in Seattle, Washington, Alexander began performing in his teens as a singer and dancer in vaudeville productions. He then began playing piano and composing big band music.

In 1937, he moved to New York City, where he arranged and composed music for radio programs, including Benny Goodman's Camel Caravan (as "Myer Alexander"), "The Lucky Strike Show" and "Amos 'n' Andy". He directed the orchestra for Songs of George Byron, Arthur's Place, Thirty Minutes to Play, The Bill Goodwin Show, and the Borden Show. He directed the chorus for The Star Theater, Great Moments in Music and (billed as Myer Alexander) the Goodman program. His Goodman group was called "the world's only Swing Chorus".

Alexander's many television credits include being musical director for Please Don't Eat the Daisies and music for Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Mothers-In-Law, Julia, and Columbo. He wrote the song "Come Wander With Me" for an episode of The Twilight Zone in 1964; it was later used in the 2003 film The Brown Bunny.

In 1944, Alexander and Lyn Murray, along with business manager Eugene Loewenthal, formed Murray-Alexander Associates in New York City. The business provided vocal groups, orchestras, and arrangements. Alexander was a founder of the organization Screen Composers of America.

Alexander died of cancer, aged 79, at his home in Whidbey Island, Washington on December 23, 1989. He was survived by his daughter, Jill.