Accessibility/Mobile Features
Skip Navigation
Skip to Content
Editorial News
Entertainment
Classified Sites

TV

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Page Cavanaugh dies at 86: Jazz pianist, composer played on Sinatra show

By Pat Saperstein, Variety
Jazz pianist, composer, arranger and conductor Page Cavanaugh, whose trio played in films and on Frank Sinatra's radio show, died Dec. 19 of kidney failure in Granada Hills, Calif. He was 86.
In the late '40s and early '50s, The Page Cavanaugh Trio was popular as a nightclub act, on recordings and in feature films such as "Romance on the High Seas" with Doris Day.
Born in Cherokee, Kansas, Cavanaugh founded his first band while still in high school, then joined the popular Kansas Ernest "Ernie" Williamson band. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 20, where he joined the Bobby Sherwood band, touring the country until he was drafted after seven months.
While serving in the U.S. Signal Corps during WWII, Cavanaugh formed his trio with guitarist Al Viola and bassist Lloyd Pratt. Cavanaugh developed his own unique whispering vocal style that became the trio's signature.
After military service, the trio appeared on the Kay Kyser radio show and were booked in Los Angeles night clubs like Ciro's. Sinatra heard them and took them to New York to appear at the Waldorf-Astoria and on his Old Gold Tobacco "Songs of Sinatra" radio show;, where they also accompanied Jane Powell.
The Page Cavanaugh Trio was featured in films including "A Song Is Born," "Big City," "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" and "Frankenstein's Daughter." He was a frequent guest on TV shows including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show."
Cavanaugh and his trio recorded with Day, as well as with Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Johnny Desmond and Connie Haines. The trio's chart hits included "The Three Bears" and "She Had to go and Lose It at the Astor."
Both Viola and Pratt left the trio in the late '40s, Viola to work with Sinatra, with whom he was associated for more than 30 years.
Cavanaugh continued to tour and perform in Los Angeles clubs, including his own nightclub in the early 1960s. He played with a number of different musicians, most recently with bassist Phil Mallory for the past 18 years.
His last recording, "Return to Elegance," was released in 2006.
Bobby Troup, the composer of "Route 66,"once said, "Page Cavanaugh swings more than any musician I know."
He left no immediate survivors.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 24, 2008 $sourceSection$sourcePage

  • Rate this Rate This Star Icon
  • This article has not yet been rated.
  • We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

    You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

    Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

0 Commentscomment icon

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Commentcomment icon

Comment
  • You have characters left

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Special Coverage

  1. Flu Fight

    News about the world's battle against the H1N1 flu pandemic

  2. Winnipeg Blue Bomber Report

    All of the latest on the Big Blue

  3. Buy the Bowl

    If dogs can paint, you can fight world hunger

  4. Follow the Way!

    Join United Way on its journey toward lasting change and better lives.

More Special Coverage

Alerts

  1. Winnipeg road closures

    Check if your commute is affected

  2. Editor's Bulletin

    Sign up for daily bulletins

  3. Blogs to Watch

    We pick our favourite local blogs for you to follow

  4. Breaking News Widget

    Create and embed a Winnipeg Free Press breaking news widget on your site or blog

Advertisement

Ads by Google