Bandleader and composer Van Alexander, who co-wrote Ella Fitzgerald's first big hit, dies in Los Angeles aged 100

By Rachel Mcgrath For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:26 EST, 20 July 2015 | Updated: 13:48 EST, 20 July 2015

Acclaimed bandleader and film and television composer Van Alexander passed away Sunday in Los Angeles.

He was 100.

According to Variety, the centenarian died of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

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Mourned: Hollywood composer and band leader Van Alexander died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 100

Mourned: Hollywood composer and band leader Van Alexander died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 100

The Hollywood trade publication reported that Alexander co-wrote Ella Fitzgerald's first big hit A-Tisket, A-Tasket in 1938 and they recorded it together on his 23rd birthday.

He went on to lead his own big band from 1939 to 1944 before moving to Los Angeles where he began a long career composing music for television shows and films.

He also wrote First Arrangement, what Variety describes as 'a landmark 1946 how-to book for musicians learning how to arrange for orchestra.'

Muse: Alexander co-wrote A-Tisket, A-Tasket with Ella Fitzgerald in 1938 which became the singer's first big hit. In 1959, as president of NARAS, he presented Ella with a Grammy for her album of Duke Ellington covers

Muse: Alexander co-wrote A-Tisket, A-Tasket with Ella Fitzgerald in 1938 which became the singer's first big hit. In 1959, as president of NARAS, he presented Ella with a Grammy for her album of Duke Ellington covers

Alexander was born in New York, May 2, 1915, and began learning to play the piano when he was six.

As a teen he hung out at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom and began scoring his own compositions.

He titled his 2009 autobiography, From Harlem to Hollywood: A Life in Music.

Successful career: Alexander worked with all the music greats of his era. He's seen here with Louie Armstrong

Successful career: Alexander worked with all the music greats of his era. He's seen here with Louie Armstrong

He worked with all the major singers of the day including Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Lena Horne, Bob Hope and Tony Bennett.

The composer wrote band arrangements for Benny Goodman and Bing Crosby's brother Bob Crosby and penned music for The Mickey Rooney Show on TV.

Alexander served as the head arranger for the Dean Martin Show from 1965 to 1974 and wrote scores for 1960s sitcoms including The Donna Reed Show, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.

He was nominated three times in the 1970s for an Emmy for composition and music direction.

Famous friends: Alexander is seen relaxing with Dean Martin during a break in a recording session. He worked on Martin's TV show for nine years from 1965 to 1974

Famous friends: Alexander is seen relaxing with Dean Martin during a break in a recording session. He worked on Martin's TV show for nine years from 1965 to 1974

In 1997, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Los Angeles Jazz Society and received the same award from the ASCAP Foundation in 2002.

Alexander celebrated his 100th birthday on May 2 at a party attended by more than 200 members of the jazz, film and TV music community, according to Variety.

The publication reported that in his speech at the event, he told family and friends he'd had 'a wonderful life.'

'I've really been blessed and I don't take anything for granted,' he said.

Alexander was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Beth, who passed away in 2010.

He is survived by two daughters Joyce and Lynn, four grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A wonderful life: celebrating his 100th birthday on May 2, Alexander told family and friends that he never took anything for granted and had 'really been blessed' 

A wonderful life: celebrating his 100th birthday on May 2, Alexander told family and friends that he never took anything for granted and had 'really been blessed' 

 

 

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