Sammy Kaye

Sammy Kaye (born Samuel Zarnocay, Jr. March 13, 1910 in Lakewood, Ohio -- June 2, 1987 in Ridgewood, New Jersey) was a famous bandleader and songwriter. Kaye could play saxophone and clarinet, but he never featured himself as a soloist on either one.

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He was known for an audience participation gimmick called "So You Want To Lead A Band?" Audience members would be called onto stage in an attempt to conduct the orchestra, with the possibility of winning batons. Kaye was also known for his use of "singing of song titles," which was copied by Kay Kyser and Blue Barron.

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Musicians included Ralph Flanagan, Dale Cornell and Marty Oscard. Singers included Don Cornell (not related to Dale Cornell) and Nancy Norman.

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He was posthumously inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992.

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