Berl Olswanger, the Mid-South's favorite pianist, grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Except for a four-year tour in the Navy during World War II when he was entertainment officer for the South Pacific under Admiral Halsey, he has refused to leave Memphis—despite the many offers that have come his way.

Berl has had a radio program since he was twelve years old, and transferred his talents to television when WMCT, the Mid-South's pioneer station, came on the air five years ago. He was the only Mid-South entertainer listed in "Who's Who in Radio and Television" for 1953.

Berl is also famous for his commercial jingle writing; his vocal arrangements for nationally known vocal groups; his smart suburban music store, featuring phonograph records, pianos, television sets, and sheet music; his music school where hundreds of students from 3 to 83 are learning to play the "Berl Olswanger Way"; and his talent agency.

Berl's unique piano arrangements are a feature of his daily television programs over WMCT, and this album is in response to the hundreds of requests by listeners for an album of Berl Olswanger piano stylings.

Dedicated to my best listener, Vice Admiral John Dale Price.

That Old Black Magic (Harold Arlen)
Beer Barrel Polka (Jaromir Vejvoda)
I've Got it Bad and That Ain't Good (Duke Ellington)
Tenderly (Walter Gross)
Donkey Serenade (Rudolf Friml)
Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael)
Begin the Beguine (Cole Porter)
Berl's Yancey (Berl's arrangement of "Yancey Special" by Meade Lux Lewis)

The above is from the original cover of Berl Olswanger at the Piano.

Berl Olswanger's body of work is registered with ASCAP. For information about licensing the music of Berl Olswanger, contact Anna Olswanger.

Merchandise related to Berl Olswanger at the Piano is available at CafePress.