[Dixielandjazz] About Stolen tunes

[Bob Romans]

 Here's a little known fact about the tune, AVALON...
This song was first introduced by Jolson at the Winter Garden in 1920. After 
its publication, the great Italian composer Puccini and his publisher filed 
a lawsuit against Jolson et al claiming that the melody was plagiarized from 
Puccini's aria E lucevan le stelle from the opera La Tosca. Puccini proved 
his case and won a $25,000 settlement and all future royalties. In spite of 
the legal wrangling, the song has enjoyed a long and luminous run as a hit 
performed by many stars.

http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2002-12/thismonth/featureb.asp

 Warm regards,
Bob Romans,
Cell Block 7 Jazz Band
1617 Lakeshore Dr.
Lodi, Ca. 95242
209-339-4676
www.cellblockseven2002.net
Cell 209-747-1148
Because I play trumpet, I envy no one.
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim O'Briant" <jobriant at garlic.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 8:58 AM
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] Stolen tunes


> Barrie Walter Marshall wrote:
>
>> ...it would be interesting to compile a
>> list of stolen or re-used tunes or tunes
>> put into another tune....has anybody got any?
>
> There is circumstantial and anecdotal evidence, but nothing more than 
> that,
> regarding "Alexander's Ragtime Band."  In his biography of Scott Joplin, 
> Ed
> Berlin discusses the possibility that this tune was originally written by
> Scott Joplin as the finale to "Treemonisha," but that Irvin Berlin
> appropriated it, added his own lyrics, and published it as "Alexander's
> Ragtime Band." When Berlin's published version became a hit, Joplin then
> wrote a new finale for his ragtime opera, so that he wouldn't be accused 
> of
> stealing from Berlin.
>
> For those interested, the book is "King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His
> Era," by Edward A. Berlin.
>
> Jim O'Briant
> Gilroy, CA
> * Principal Tuba, South Valley Symphony
> * Eb Bass, The Pacific Brass
> * Occasional Tuba, Tommy Bro's Hecker Pass
>    All-Star Dixieland Jazz Band
> * Occasional Tuba, Mission Gold Jazz Band
> * Available for almost any style of music
>
>
>
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