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{{short description|American singer, songwriter and pianist (1894–1978)}}
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[[Image:SheetMusicCreamerAndLaytonGoodbyeAlexander1918.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sheet music cover for a patriotic Creamer & Layton song, 1918]]


{{Infobox musical artist
'''Turner Layton''' (July 2, 1894 – February 6, 1978), born '''John Turner Layton, Jr.''', was an American songwriter, singer and pianist. He frequently worked with [[Henry Creamer]].
| name = Turner Layton
| image = Layton_and_Johnstone_in_London_The_Crisis_Magazine_January_1933.png
| caption = Turner Layton (left) and his musical partner Clarence Johnstone in 1933
| birth_name = John Turner Layton, Jr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1894|7|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1978|2|6|1894|6}}
| death_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[vocal music|vocal]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|pianist}}
| years_active = 1918–1946
| label =
}}

⚫
[[Image:SheetMusicCreamerAndLaytonGoodbyeAlexander1918.jpg|thumb|Sheet music cover for a patriotic Creamer & Layton song, 1918]]
'''Turner Layton''' (July 2, 1894 – February 6, 1978),<ref name="West">{{Cite web|url=http://westhampsteadlife.com/2014/04/17/the-eventful-life-of-singer-and-composer-turner-layton/12392|title=West Hampstead Life &#124; The eventful life of singer and composer Turner Layton|website=Westhampsteadlife.com|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> born '''John Turner Layton, Jr.''', was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. He frequently worked with [[Henry Creamer]].


==Life==
==Life==
Born in [[Washington, D.C.]], in 1894, he was the son of John Turner Layton, "a bass singer, music educator and hymn composer."<ref name="Peterson">Peterson, Bernard L. ''Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1890)'', Greenwood Press, 2000, p. 164.</ref> After receiving a musical education from his father, he attended the [[Howard University College of Dentistry|Howard University Dental School]], later coming to [[New York City]] in the early 1900s, where he met future songwriting partner, lyricist [[Henry Creamer]]. Layton is best known for his many compositions with Creamer, the best known of which is the standard "[[After You've Gone (song)|After You've Gone]]", written in 1918<ref>{{Cite book|title=World War I Sheet Music - Volume 1|last=Parker|first=Bernard S.|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2007|isbn=0-7864-2798-1|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|pages=20}}</ref> and first popularized by [[Sophie Tucker]]. Turner and Creamer had another hit with [[Way Down Yonder in New Orleans]] in 1922. It was recorded in 1927 by Frank Trumbauer (with Bix Beiderbecke), and was a rock and roll hit for [[Freddy Cannon]] in 1959. Turner and Layton contributed music and lyrics to many [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] shows, including the ''[[Ziegfeld Follies]]'' of 1917, 1921 and 1922, ''Three Showers'' (1920), ''Some Party'' (1922) and Creamer's own ''Strut Miss Lizzie'' (1922).<ref name="Peterson"/>
Born in [[Washington, D.C.]], United States, in 1894, he was the son of John Turner Layton, "a bass singer, music educator and hymn composer."<ref name="Peterson">Peterson, Bernard L. ''Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1890)'', Greenwood Press, 2000, p. 164</ref> After receiving a musical education from his father, he attended the [[Howard University College of Dentistry|Howard University Dental School]], later coming to [[New York City]] in the early 1900s, where he met future songwriting partner, lyricist [[Henry Creamer]].<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1441}}</ref> Layton is best known for his many compositions with Creamer, the best known of which is the standard "[[After You've Gone (song)|After You've Gone]]", written in 1918<ref>{{Cite book|title=World War I Sheet Music - Volume 1|last=Parker|first=Bernard S.|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7864-2798-7|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|pages=20}}</ref> and first popularized by [[Sophie Tucker]]. Turner and Creamer had another hit with "[[Way Down Yonder in New Orleans]]" in 1922.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> It was recorded in 1927 by Frank Trumbauer (with Bix Beiderbecke), and was a rock and roll hit for [[Freddy Cannon]] in 1959. Creamer and Layton contributed music and lyrics to many [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] shows, including the ''[[Ziegfeld Follies]]'' of 1917, 1921 and 1922, ''Three Showers'' (1920), ''Some Party'' (1922) and Creamer's own ''Strut Miss Lizzie'' (1922).<ref name="Peterson"/>


Beginning in 1924, Layton found major popular success in England with Clarence "Tandy" Johnstone<ref name=Friedwald>Friedwald, Will. ''A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers'' (New York : Pantheon Books, 2010), 582.</ref> as a member of the group [[Layton & Johnstone]], quickly earning a reputation as a cabaret act, with the pair allegedly selling over "10 million records".<ref>Bush, John. ''Allmusic'' Biography: Layton & Johnstone. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p431215|pure_url=yes}}]</ref> Layton split with Johnstone in 1935 (after Johnstone had been named in Albert Sandler's divorce), with Johnstone returning to New York and continuing to perform with significantly less success. Layton continued to perform in England. An elegant song stylist, he held a regular, successful spot over the years at the Café de Paris, a [[London]] club, until his retirement in 1946. He died in London in February 1978.
Beginning in 1924, Layton found major popular success in England with Clarence "Tandy" Johnstone<ref name=Friedwald>Friedwald, Will. ''A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers'' (New York : Pantheon Books, 2010), p. 582</ref> as a member of the group [[Layton & Johnstone]], quickly earning a reputation as a cabaret act, with the pair allegedly selling over 10 million records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/layton-johnstone-mn0000144960/biography|title=Layton & Johnstone Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> Layton split with Johnstone in 1935 (after Johnstone had been named in [[Albert Sandler]]'s divorce), with Johnstone returning to New York and continuing to perform with significantly less success.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Layton continued to perform in England.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> An elegant song stylist, he held a regular, successful spot over the years at the Café de Paris, a [[London]] club, until his retirement in 1946.<ref name="LarkinGE"/>


He died in London in February 1978, at the age of 83.<ref name="West"/>
[[File:Turner Layton's piano medley record.jpg|thumb|200px|Turner Layton's piano medley record]]
==Recordings==
==Recordings==
Two albums of Layton & Johnstone recordings have been issued on CD in the UK - on ASV Living Era (CD AJA 5426) and Flapper (PAST CD 9712). Two compilation albums of recordings by Layton have been released on CD.
Two albums of Layton & Johnstone recordings have been issued on CD in the UK - on ASV Living Era (CD AJA 5426) and Flapper (PAST CD 9712). Two compilation albums of recordings by Layton have been released on CD.


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
His daughter A'Lelia Shirley inherited his musical estate and left the copyright and royalties to her father's music to [[Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children]] in London in her will on her death in January 2001.
His daughter A'Lelia Shirley inherited his musical estate and left the copyright and royalties to her father's music to [[Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children]] in London in her will on her death in January 2001.<ref name="West"/>


==Notable compositions==
==Notable compositions==
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*"[[Dear Old Southland]]"
*"[[Dear Old Southland]]"
*"[[Goodbye Alexander, Goodbye Honey Boy]]"
*"[[Goodbye Alexander, Goodbye Honey Boy]]"
*"[[It Must Be Love (Turner Layton song)|It Must Be Love]]"
*"It Must Be Love"
*"[[Strut, Miss Lizzie]]"
*"Strut, Miss Lizzie"
*"[[Way Down Yonder in New Orleans|'Way down Yonder in New Orleans]]"
*"[[Way Down Yonder in New Orleans|'Way down Yonder in New Orleans]]"


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/turner-layton-mn0000004703 Biography] at AllMusic
*[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/turner-layton-mn0000004703 Biography] at AllMusic
* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102990 Turner Layton recordings] at the [[Discography of American Historical Recordings]].
* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102990 Turner Layton recordings] at the [[Discography of American Historical Recordings]]

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Layton, Turner}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Layton, Turner}}
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[[Category:Songwriters from Washington, D.C.]]
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[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
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[[Category:Songwriters from Washington, D.C.]]
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[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]

Latest revision as of 18:06, 12 October 2024

Turner Layton
Turner Layton (left) and his musical partner Clarence Johnstone in 1933
Turner Layton (left) and his musical partner Clarence Johnstone in 1933
Background information
Birth nameJohn Turner Layton, Jr.
Born(1894-07-02)2 July 1894
Washington, D.C., United States
Died6 February 1978(1978-02-06) (aged 83)
London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pianist
Years active1918–1946
Sheet music cover for a patriotic Creamer & Layton song, 1918

Turner Layton (July 2, 1894 – February 6, 1978),[1] born John Turner Layton, Jr., was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. He frequently worked with Henry Creamer.

Life

[edit]

Born in Washington, D.C., United States, in 1894, he was the son of John Turner Layton, "a bass singer, music educator and hymn composer."[2] After receiving a musical education from his father, he attended the Howard University Dental School, later coming to New York City in the early 1900s, where he met future songwriting partner, lyricist Henry Creamer.[3] Layton is best known for his many compositions with Creamer, the best known of which is the standard "After You've Gone", written in 1918[4] and first popularized by Sophie Tucker. Turner and Creamer had another hit with "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" in 1922.[3] It was recorded in 1927 by Frank Trumbauer (with Bix Beiderbecke), and was a rock and roll hit for Freddy Cannon in 1959. Creamer and Layton contributed music and lyrics to many Broadway shows, including the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917, 1921 and 1922, Three Showers (1920), Some Party (1922) and Creamer's own Strut Miss Lizzie (1922).[2]

Beginning in 1924, Layton found major popular success in England with Clarence "Tandy" Johnstone[5] as a member of the group Layton & Johnstone, quickly earning a reputation as a cabaret act, with the pair allegedly selling over 10 million records.[6] Layton split with Johnstone in 1935 (after Johnstone had been named in Albert Sandler's divorce), with Johnstone returning to New York and continuing to perform with significantly less success.[3] Layton continued to perform in England.[3] An elegant song stylist, he held a regular, successful spot over the years at the Café de Paris, a London club, until his retirement in 1946.[3]

He died in London in February 1978, at the age of 83.[1]

Turner Layton's piano medley record

Recordings

[edit]

Two albums of Layton & Johnstone recordings have been issued on CD in the UK - on ASV Living Era (CD AJA 5426) and Flapper (PAST CD 9712). Two compilation albums of recordings by Layton have been released on CD.

Legacy

[edit]

His daughter A'Lelia Shirley inherited his musical estate and left the copyright and royalties to her father's music to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London in her will on her death in January 2001.[1]

Notable compositions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "West Hampstead Life | The eventful life of singer and composer Turner Layton". Westhampsteadlife.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Peterson, Bernard L. Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1890), Greenwood Press, 2000, p. 164
  3. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1441. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  4. ^ Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music - Volume 1. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7864-2798-7.
  5. ^ Friedwald, Will. A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers (New York : Pantheon Books, 2010), p. 582
  6. ^ "Layton & Johnstone Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
[edit]
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