Troup, Bobby
Troup, Bobby
Troup, Bobby, pop-jazz songwriter, pianist, and vocalist; b. Oct. 18, 1918, Harrisburg, Pa.; d. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Feb. 7,1999. He was a staff songwriter with Tommy Dorsey; wrote, produced, and directed service musicals during World War II; wrote the hits “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66!” and “Baby, Baby All The Time” for the Nat Cole Trio in 1946, and then settled in Hollywood. He was married to Julie London and produced her albums; his many film songs included “The Girl Can’t Help It,” the title track to the delightful rock ’n’ roll movie of 1956. He is certainly the only songwriter who co-wrote with Johnny Mercer (“I’m with You”) and also wrote a hit for Little Richard. His television show “Stars of Jazz” in 1956-58 featured Max Roach with Booker Little, etc. He also worked as an actor, portraying Arthur Schutt in the film The Five Pennies (1959) and Tommy Dorsey in The Gene Krupa Story (1960), as well as playing Dr. Joe Early on the television drama Emergency.
Discography
Bobby (1953); Bobby Troup (1955); Bobby Troup Sings Johnny Mercer (1955); Bobby Troup and His Trio (1955); Bobby Troup and His Jazz All-Stars (1958); Stars of Jazz (1958); Cool (1959).
—Music Master Jazz and Blues Catalogue/Lewis Porter