Harold Arlen
singer/songwriter/keyboardist
BMHOF Class of 1997

One of the greatest songwriters in American Music History. Harold Arlen "originally Hyman Arluck" began his career as a singer and piano player in Buffalo. He dropped out of Hutchinson High School at 16 and formed The Snappy Trio and later The Se-Mor Jazz Band. In the summers of 1923-5, with The Southbound Shufflers, he played on The Canadiana - the Crystal Beach boat that took Americans to Canada where prohibition did not exist.

In 1925 Harold became a member of the Yankee Six, as their pianist, vocalist and arranger. They were the house band at Geyer's Restaurant and Ballroom, in the center of the Buffalo theater district. Harold was earning the considerable sum of $100.00 a week. The group became an 11 piece unit, changed their name to The Buffalodians and their popularity took them out of town. Music history was about to be written.