ALEC WILDER (1907-1980)

Alec Wilder was born Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder, in Rochester, New York. He studied briefly at the Eastman School of Music, but as a composer was largely self-taught. Mitch Miller and Frank Sinatra were initially responsible for getting Wilder's music to the public.
Frank Sinatra, an early fan of Wilder's music and an avid supporter, persuaded Columbia Records to record some of Wilder's solo wind works with string orchestra for an album in 1945, Sinatra conducting. The two men became life-long friends and Sinatra recorded many of Wilder's popular songs. His last song, "A Long Night," was written in response to a 1980 request from Sinatra for a "saloon" song. Jazz musicians fascinated Wilder with their gift for creating extemporaneous compositions. Among those for whom he composed major works were Marian McPartland, piano; Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Gerry Mulligan, saxophone, Doc Severinson and Clark Terry, trumpet. Entire albums of his songs and shorter pieces were recorded by Bob Brookmeyer, trombone; Roland Hanna and Marian McPartland, piano. Individual Wilder songs have been recorded notably by Cab Calloway, Red Norvo, Keith Jarrett, Don Menza, Jimmy Rowles and Kenny Burrell. Wilder's relationship with popular and jazz singers was especially close. Despite his songs' sinuous angular melodies and unorthodox forms, he was admired by Mabel Mercer, Jackie and Roy Kral, Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, and more recently, Marlene VerPlanck and Barbara Lea. For Mabel Mercer (whom Wilder called the "Guardian of Songs") he wrote many of his finest popular as well as art songs. She responded by making definitive recordings of a number of them. Among his best known songs are "It's So Peaceful in the Country" (written for Mildred Bailey), "I'll Be Around," "While We're Young" and "Blackberry Winter." Sometimes Wilder wrote his own lyrics for his songs, but more often he collaborated with outstanding lyricists such as William Engvick, Johnny Mercer, Arnold Sundgaard and Loonis McGlohon. Alec Wilder set a number of Fran's lyrics in the '60s. 'Photographs', 'Walk Pretty All The Way' and 'Your Free' were published in a collection of Wilder's songs. 'Photographs' has been covered by a number of singers including Weslia Witfield 'Your Free' was sung by Anthony Newley.