Mel Tormé

Mel Tormé, known affectionately as "The Velvet Fog," was a musician whose career spanned nearly seven decades, a time during which he became synonymous with jazz and American popular song. Born Melvin Howard Tormé on September 13, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, Tormé's prodigious talent was evident early on. By age four, he was already performing professionally—his interest in music sparked by the rhythmic innovation of jazz, which was in its Golden Age during his youth. Tormé's early career was shaped by the vibrant musical scene of Chicago, a city that thrummed with the sounds of jazz and blues seeping into the mainstream. At the age of nine, he penned his first song, "Christmas Dreaming," and soon after, he found opportunities to perform with bandleader Ben Pollack, a figure quintessential to the swing era. These formative experiences set the stage for a lifelong affinity for songwriting and performance. By the 1940s, Tormé had relocated to Los Angeles, a burgeoning hub for music, film, and more broadly, a junction where diverse American cultures began to coalesce in a postwar world. It was in Los Angeles that he joined the vocal quintet, the Mel-Tones, which was inspired by the recordings of his admired idols, The Pied Pipers. This group became highly successful, collaborating frequently with Artie Shaw's orchestra and gaining recognition in their own right. The Mel-Tones, through their intricate harmonies and jazz-inflected style, would later influence generations of vocal ensembles. Tormé's reputation as a solo artist was cowritten into history with his 1945 Decca Records release, "Careless Hands," which saw commercial success and paved the way for future hits. Throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s, Tormé continued to build on this momentum, making lucrative recordings that showcased his ability to blend smooth, resonant vocals with contemporary jazz orchestration. Through songs like "Blue Moon" and later "Comin' Home Baby," Tormé exemplified not just the knack for capturing the spirit of an era, but also an uncanny ability to forecast the evolution of musical tastes. It was during this time that Tormé's nickname, "The Velvet Fog," took root. Ironically, the nickname, which was bestowed by a disc jockey, was not one that Tormé particularly appreciated as it suggested a smoothness he felt bordered on soporific. Regardless, the moniker stuck, embodying the smooth timbre of his voice that felt like warm honey against the frenetic pace of an emerging rock ‘n’ roll generation. Tormé’s career was marked by his endless versatility. He was not just a vocalist, but a drummer, an actor, a writer, and above all else, a songwriter—a polymath in an industry of specialists. Perhaps his most celebrated contribution in this realm is the timeless classic, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” co-written with Bob Wells. The song, first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, became an indelible fixture of holiday music, enduring as one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time. Through the latter half of the 20th century, Tormé remained a fixture of American music, adapting deftly to the changing landscape. During the 1960s and 1970s, he embraced the television circuit, with appearances that extended his reach to a diverse audience, while his live performances continued to draw dedicated jazz aficionados. He also demonstrated his sharp intellect and quick wit as an author, producing several books including a poignant memoir detailing his collaboration with drummer Buddy Rich titled "Traps: The Drum Wonder." His literary pursuits complemented his musical endeavors, painting a fuller picture of an artist who moved with ease between mediums. The 1980s and 1990s marked a period of both critical reconsideration and adulation as Tormé embarked on collaborations with the virtuosic pianist George Shearing. Their joint projects, notably "An Evening with George Shearing & Mel Tormé" and "Top Drawer," were hailed for their sophisticated interplay and elegant renditions of jazz standards, earning Grammy Awards that illustrated Tormé's endurance and enduring talent in an industry fueled by the new. Despite significant health challenges in the 1990s that culminated in a debilitating stroke in 1996, Tormé's legacy continued to resonate. He passed away on June 5, 1999, leaving behind an indelible impact on the world of music. From his first public performances to the timeless recordings that continue to charm and inspire, Mel Tormé's career is a testament to the power of adaptability and artistry. Echoes of his consummate skill and velvet sound are found in countless musicians today, illustrating that in the ever-evolving landscape of American music, the past informs the present, while voices like Tormé's linger on, as clear and lush as ever.