Jonathan Rhodes Lee (Music) published a "Guide to the Larry Fotine Music Collection." This publication serves as an index to the large archive, made available through the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center, of the composer and jazz band leader Larry Fotine (1911–1990). Born Lawrence Constantine Fotinakis in Camden, New Jersey, this son of a Greek immigrant father and an American mother enjoyed a long and prosperous career as a jazz band leader, arranger, recording artist, and performer. Fotine directed his own bands beginning in the 1930s, with many million-plus seller recordings and residencies in New York, Atlantic City, Memphis, Chicago, and elsewhere. Fotine composed over 300 songs, including the popular “You were Only Fooling (While I was Falling in Love)” and, in collaboration with Duke Ellington, “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues.” He arranged music for Sammy Kaye’s band (1940–1945), Blue Barron and Art Mooney (1945–1947), and Lawrence Welk (1958–1960). Many famous artists recorded Fotine’s songs, including Gene Autry, Patsy Cline, Chet Atkins, and Fotine’s own orchestras. Fotine composed music for the Buttons and Rusty cartoon shows at the end of his career in the 1980s.
The library comprises 40 linear feet, including manuscript scores, printed sheet music of works by Fotine, ASCAP agreements and contracts, photographs (including a digital photograph collection), published and archival/demo recordings, correspondence, books by Fotine, and memorabilia. It is available for inspection on site at the School of Music. The published guide is freely available through the Shaw Center's website.
