The Resume

(June 15, 1921-January 2, 1977)
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jazz pianist and composer
Recorded the albums 'Concert by the Sea' (1955), 'Contrasts' (1955), 'The Most Happy Piano' (1956), 'Paris Impressions' (1958), 'One World Concert' (1962), 'Campus Concert' (1966), 'Feeling Is Believing' (1970) and 'Magician' (1974)
Wrote the standard 'Misty'
Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame (1993)

Why he might be annoying:

When he was eleven, he was sneaking out of the house to play in riverboat bands.
He never learned to read music.
Because of his short stature (5'2), he would sit on multiple phone books while playing -- except in New York City where a single Manhattan directory would suffice.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was the first (and only) jazz musician signed to a management deal by classical music impresario Sol Hurok.
He was known for his theatrical effects showing off the whole range of the piano, often noting, 'There's 88 keys, the guy who made it must have had something in mind.'
His dreamy ballad style led one critic to call him the greatest aid to romance since the invention of kissing.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 73]
• Ed Sullivan Show Guests
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [D-G]
• I Died in 1977 (Ranked: 55)
• I Have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame[F-I]
• I Have Emphysema
• I Recorded ‘Autumn Leaves’
• Jazz Artists
• Little People [5'3 and Shorter] - Male
• Look at My Album Cover
• My Music was Lost in the 2008 Universal Studios Fire
• My Song was Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (Ranked: 1991)
• Profiles 45751-46000 (Ranked: 45795)
• Twins

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying