Will Hudson

• Name — Will Hudson • Birth Name — Arthur Murray Hainer • Birthplace — Grimsby, Ontario • Born — 8 March 1908 • Died — 16 July 1981 • Place of death — Isle of Palms, South Carolina • Genre — Popular music • Occupation — Composer, arranger • Years Active — mid-1930s to mid-1950 Will Hudson (né Arthur Murray Hainer; March 8, 1908 – July 16, 1981) was a Canadian-born American composer, arranger, and big band leader who worked from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s.

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.

Biographical sources for Will Hudson (né Arthur Murray Hainer; March 8, 1908 Grimsby, Ontario – July 16, 1981 Isle of Palms, South Carolina) 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 (born 1912) in Detroit on August 15, 1931, and before his compositions were copyrighted under his new name.

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.

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 (né Meyer Agress; 1910–1969), in 1937; Georgia Gibbs (formerly Fredda Gibson; née Frieda Lipschitz; 1919–2006); 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 (née Jane Rappaport), 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 (also with the Will Hudson Orchestra; on the clarinet), Edward ("Doc") Goldberg (bass); Mitchell Ayres, Mitchell Parish (lyricist), Georgia Gibbs (vocalist), Nan Wynn (vocalist), and Gus Bivona (clarinet). In 1941, Hudson began focusing on arranging, full-time.

Hudson enlisted in the U.S. Army March 6, 1943 (SSN 090 03 4600), 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.

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" (words Eddie DeLange; ©1934), "Tormented" (©1936), "Sophisticated Swing" (©1936), "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town" (©1937), "Devil's Kitchen" (©1935), "You're Not the Kind" (co-composed with Irving Mills; ©1936); and "Witch Doctor" (©1935).

By 1937, Hudson had composed 50 hits, including: • "Moonglow" (words Eddie DeLange; ©1934), • "Sophisticated Swing" (©1936), • "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town" (©1937) • "Jazznocracy" (©1934) • "Devil's Kitchen" (©1935) • "You're Not the Kind" (co-composed with Irving Mills; ©1936) • "Witch Doctor" (©1935) • "White Heat" (©1934) • "Popcorn Man" (1936), co-composed with Louis Klein (1888–1945) & William "Bill" Livingston (1911–1989) • "Tormented" (©1936) • "Monopoly Swing" (©1936), and the band's theme song • "Love Song of a Half-Wit" (1936) • "Eight Bars In Search of a Melody" (©1936) • "Hobo on Park Avenue" (©1936). • Many of Hudson's compositions were published by Mills Music. • The Hudson-Delange broadcast on Bandstand and recorded for Brunswick and Decca. • "Tormented" (©1936) • "With All My Heart and Soul" (©1934) • "You're My Desire" (words, Hudson & Irving Mills, music Hudson; ©1937) • "World Without You" (w&m Maria Kramer & Hudson; ©1940) • "Start Jumpin'" • "Three at a Table for Two" • "Hi Ya Mr. Chips" • "Peekin' at the Deacon" • "On the Verge"

• "Hotcha Razz-Ma-Tazz" • "Just an Error in the News" • "The Man From Harlem" • "Moonglow" • "Moonlight Rhapsody" (©1935)

• "Moonglow" • 2015: Legend • 2013: 42 • 2011: Mildred Pierce (TV Mini-Series; Part 2) • 2009: Amelia • 2007: American Masters (TV Series documentary) (Les Paul: "Chasing Sound") • 2007: Midnight Son (short) • 2006: The Holiday • 2006: Idlewild • 2005: Carly Simon: A Moonlight Serenade on the Queen Mary 2 (Video) • 2004: The Aviator • 2004: Melinda and Melinda • 2000: Center Stage • 1999: Ben & Gunnar (sv) (TV movie) (uncredited) • 1998: Frank Lloyd Wright (documentary) • 1997: Private Parts • 1995: Casino • 1991: My Girl • 1990: Alice • 1990: Havana • 1989: The Fabulous Baker Boys • 1988: Stealing Home • 1987: September • 1986: Picnic (TV movie) • 1984: Speed (documentary short) • 1975: Inserts • 1962: Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) (1 episode) • - Episode #14.29 (uncredited) • 1961: The Twilight Zone (TV Series) (1 episode) • - "It's a Good Life" • 1958: Jazz Party (TV Series) • - Episode #1.19 • 1958: Timex All-Star Jazz Show (TV Series) • - Episode dated April 30, 1958 (uncredited) • 1956: Your Hit Parade (TV Series) (2 episodes) • - Episode dated June 9, 1956 • - Episode dated June 2, 1956 • 1956: The Benny Goodman Story • 1955: Picnic (uncredited) • 1941: Hi Gang! (uncredited) • 1935: Fighting Stock (uncredited) • "You're Not the Kind of Boy for a Girl Like Me" • 1955: Show Time at the Apollo (TV Series) (1 episode; "All Star Review") • 1956: Basin Street Revue (uncredited) • "The Man From Harlem" • 1989: Bloodhounds of Broadway • "Cowboy in Manhattan" • 1936: Emil Coleman and His Orchestra (short) (uncredited) • "Jazznochracy" • 1936: Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance Orchestra (short) (uncredited) • "Organ Grinder's Swing" • 1997: One Night Stand • 1985: That's Dancing! • 1963: The Lawrence Welk Show (TV Series) (1 episode; episode #8.46) • 1938: Sin-copation (short) (uncredited) • 1937: Calling All Stars • 1937: Swing, Hutton, Swing (short) (uncredited) • 1937: Organ Grinder's Swing (short) • 1935: The Littlest Rebel

• "Jazznochracy" by Will Hudson. © February 20, 1934; EP40861 Exclusive Publications, Inc. • "Moonglow" by Will Hudson, Eddie DeLange, Irving Mills. © May 10, 1934; EP42400 Exclusive Publications, Inc. • "Glen Island Special" by Eddie DeLange, Will Hudson (arranger; for orchestra) © February 5, 1940; EP82794 Leo Feist, Inc.