His father may have been a concert pianist, but the famous big band arranger and composer Van Alexander scored his biggest success with a much simpler influence, nursery rhymes. His arrangement of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," done in collaboration with the sublime vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, was the biggest hit for both of them. Although originally created in 1938 as a vehicle while she was vocalist with the Chick Webb band, it became one of her most endearing signature songs, as well as providing this composer with both steady royalty checks and a road map for future excursions. "Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?" and "Got a Pebble in My Shoe" explored a similar territory, wherein a sophisticated jazz vocalist retreats into childhood worries.
Alexander wasn't limited to such topics, by any means.
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