Jerome Philip Herst (May 28, 1909, in
Chicago, Illinois – November 27, 1990, in Alameda, California), known as Jerry Herst, was a lawyer and a songwriter best known for his collaborations with
Jack Sharpe on a number of compositions, notably "
So Rare", a much-recorded song that was published in 1937.
Early life
In 1909, was born in Chicago to Abraham and Dora Schwartz. On December 24, 1947, he married Jeannde Lucille Taylor.
Education
His early education was in Townsend Hall in New York, followed by Western Military, in Alton Illinois. He attended college at
Northwestern University
Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...
and
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...
. In 1934, he received his JD from
University of California, Hastings College of Law, San Francisco. He studied music at the
Conservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris (), or the Paris Conservatory, is a college of music and dance founded in 1795. Officially known as the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (; CNSMDP), it is situated in the avenue Jean Ja ...
, and later studied composition privately with
Joseph Schillinger
Joseph Moiseyevich Schillinger (; (other sources: ) – 23 March 1943) was a composer, music theorist, and music composition, composition teacher who originated the Schillinger System of Musical Composition. He was born in Kharkiv, Kharkov, in the ...
,
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and
Alexandre Tansman.
Career
Music
While in college and law school he performed as a radio and night club performer.
A version of his co-composition "So Rare" released by
Jimmy Dorsey in 1957 was a #2 hit in the United States, but it has been recorded by numerous artists including
Carl Ravell and his Orchestra (1937),
Gus Arnheim and his Coconut Grove Orchestra (1937),
Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (1937),
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...
(1959),
Ella Fitzgerald (1960) and
Ray Conniff
Joseph Raymond Conniff (November 6, 1916 – October 12, 2002) was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.
Biography
Conniff was born November 6, 1916, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, United S ...
(1965).
Herst has five compositions listed at the performing rights organisation ASCAP, four of which are collaborations with Jack Sharpe. "So Rare", "World Stands Still" and "What Did You Do It For" are by Herst and Sharpe. "We'll Get A Bang Out Of Life" was written by Herst and Sharpe with the bandleader
Anson Weeks and was recorded by
Kay Kyser and His Orchestra (1938). A number of other compositions by Jerry Herst – including further collaborations with Jack Sharpe – are listed at the US Copyright Office.
In addition to Jack Sharpe, he collaborated with such names as Al Jacobs, Felton Kaufmann, and Richard O’Kreamer.
Legal
Practiced law from 1935 to 1942. He served as a referee and hearing officer for the State of California Office of Administrative Procedure from 1947 to 1975. Served as an administrative law judge for the State of California until his retirement in 1975
Military
Was on active duty in the USNR, World War II. Served in the United States Naval Reserves as Judge Advocate General Court Martial, 12 Naval District (1942–1946), Senior Judge Advocate until his retirement.
Compositions
Songs
* ''So Rare'' (with Jack Sharpe)
* ''The Call of Tarzan''
* ''The Darling of the Campus''
* ''As Long As I Still Have You'' - 1931 (with Al Jacobs)
* ''We’ll Get a Bang Out of Life'' - 1938 (with Jack Sharpe)
* ''Shower of Kisses''
* ''Meand’rin''
* ''Mud in Your Eye'' (with Felton Kauffman)
Instrumental works
* ''A Child’s Garden'' (suite for symphonic orchestra)
* ''The Golden Spike'' (overture)
Miscellaneous – numerous ballets and wind quintet
Musicals
* ''The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer''
* ''The Legend of Bret Harte''
* ''Ozma of Oz''
[“Herst, Jerome P.” , ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.]
Notes and references
External links
Lead sheet for "So Rare"at Wikifonia
Internet Movie Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Herst, Jerry
1909 births
1990 deaths
Songwriters from Illinois
20th-century American songwriters