Morty Jacobs

American pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor (born December 17, 1917 in New York, NY - died April 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA) Morty Jacobs was a jazz pianist best known for the three decades he spent as musical director, pianist, and straight man with comedian George Burns. Growing up in New York City, Jacobs started performing as a pianist from age 6. When still a youngster, he played with trumpeter Roy Eldridge in a band that accompanied the great tap dancers Sammy Davis Jr., the Nicholas Brothers, and Bunny Briggs. As a teenager, he joined the merchant marine for two years, then served as a machine gunner in World War II. After the war, he continued his musical career, playing with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Herth, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Dorothy Dandridge, Van Johnson (2), Lou Rawls, Ethel Merman, and Stella Stevens (2). As a composer, he had a hit with "Palomino," a song he wrote for singing cowboy Herb Jeffries. His compositions "Lefty Louie" and "Tell Me More" were recorded by David Rose & His Orchestra and June Christy, respectively. Jacobs sometimes collaborated on songs with Irving Taylor and Johnny Mercer. His son is jazz musician (drums, percussion, keyboards) Stephen Jacobs.