Vic Briedis

Lithuanian-American jazz pianist (born October 14, 1905 in Lithuania – died March 12, 1937 in Venturas, CA, USA) Born Vitold Briedis, Vic Briedis emigrated to the United States in 1910 and grew up in Chicago. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1917. Briedis studied piano at the Beethoven Conservatory in Chicago. He soon became known as one of the best jazz pianists of Chicago. In 1926, he joined Ben Pollack's band, with which he moved to New York City in 1928. In 1930, he became the regular accompanist of singer Ruth Etting, and when she went to Hollywood in 1932, he followed along. In Hollywood, Briedis worked on film music and played an unnamed pianist in the 1936 movie "Cain and Mabel." In March 1937, he died in a car accident.