John Serry Sr. (born John Serrapica; January 29, 1915 – September 14, 2003) was an American concert accordionist, arranger, composer, organist, and educator. He performed on the CBS Radio and Television networks and contributed to

Voice of America Voice of America (VOA or VoA) is the state-owned news network and international radio broadcaster of the United States of America. It is the largest and oldest U.S.-funded international broadcaster. VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content ...

cultural diplomacy Cultural diplomacy is a type of public diplomacy and soft power that includes the "exchange of ideas, information, art, language and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster mutual understanding". The purpose ...

initiatives during the

Golden Age of Radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

. He also concertized on the accordion as a member of several orchestras and jazz ensembles for nearly forty years between the 1930s and 1960s.

Biography

Serry's career spanned over seven decades. As a proponent of Latin American music and the

free-bass accordion A free-bass system is a system of left-hand bass buttons on an accordion, arranged to give the performer greater ability to play melodies with the left-hand and form one's own chords. The left-hand buttonboard consists of single-note buttons wit ...

, he performed as the

piano accordion A piano accordion is an accordion equipped with a right-hand keyboard similar to a piano or organ. Its acoustic mechanism is more that of an organ than a piano, as they are both aerophones, but the term "piano accordion"—coined by Guido D ...

ist on the radio music program '' Viva América'', which was broadcast live to South America under the United States Department of State's

Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs The Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, later known as the Office for Inter-American Affairs, was a United States agency promoting inter-American cooperation ( Pan-Americanism) during the 1940s, especially in commercial and eco ...

initiative for

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

. Broadcasts of this show have been cited as helping to introduce Latin American music and the Mexican

bolero Bolero is a genre of song which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century as part of the trova tradition. Unrelated to the older Spanish dance of the same name, bolero is characterized by sophisticated lyrics dealing with love. It ha ...

to large audiences in the United States in the 1940s.Media Sound & Culture in Latin America & The Caribbean. Editors: Bronfman, Alejandra & Wood, Andrew Grant. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, 2012, Pg. 49
Alfredo Antonini's CBS Pan American Orchestra, "Viva America" and Latin American music in the United States on Books.Google.Cmm See P. 49
/ref> Carnegie-hall-isaac-stern

Serry performed with big bands, symphony orchestras, radio and television orchestras, and Broadway orchestras at the

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and theater at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplace of the Nation", it is the headquarters for th ...

, the

Rainbow Room The Rainbow Room is a private event space on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Tishman Speyer, it is among the highest venues in New York City. The Rainbow Room serves clas ...

at Rockefeller Center (1935); the Starlight Roof at the

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Waldorf can have the following meanings: People * William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor (1848–1919), financier and statesman * Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879–1952), businessman and politician * Pappy Waldorf (1902–1981), 1966 ...

(1936–1937); the

Palmer House The Palmer House – A Hilton Hotel is a historic hotel in Chicago's Loop area. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Palmer House was the city's first hotel with elevators, ...

in Chicago (1938);''The Los Angeles Examiner'', 9 October 1938, p. 1 the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles (1938); Carnegie Hall with

Alfredo Antonini Alfredo Antonini (May 31, 1901 – November 3, 1983) was a leading Italian-American symphony conductor and composer who was active on the international concert stage as well as on the CBS radio and television networks from the 1930s through the ...

conducting (1946);''The New York Times'',12 May 1946, p.42 the

Plaza Hotel The Plaza Hotel (also known as The Plaza) is a luxury hotel and condominium apartment building in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is located on the western side of Grand Army Plaza, after which it is named, just west of Fifth Avenue ...

(1940s); The Town Hall (1941–1942);''The Nation'', 7 March 1942, Vol. 154, #10"Diseuse in Debut Here"
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', 1 March 1942a, p.36''The New York Times'' 28 May 1941 p.32 the

Ed Sullivan Theater The Ed Sullivan Theater (originally Hammerstein's Theatre; later the Manhattan Theatre, Billy Rose's Music Hall, CBS Radio Playhouse No. 3, and CBS Studio 50) is a theater at 1697–1699 Broadway, between 53rd and 54th Streets, in the Theat ...

(1959) for CBS television; the Empire Theater (New York) (1953);''New York Journal-American'' See the photograph of Serry's signature inscribed with signatures of other members of the cast on the stage door of the Empire Theatre at the closing of the play "The Time of the Cuckoo", 25 May 1953 p. 15 and such New York

cafe society A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caf ...

nightspots as:

El Morocco El Morocco (sometimes nicknamed Elmo or Elmer) was a 20th-century Manhattan nightclub frequented by the rich and famous from the 1930s until the decline of café society in the late 1950s. It was famous for its blue zebra-stripe motif (designed ...

, El Chico and The Riviera in the 1930s. Serry was born John Serrapica in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Kings County is the most populous Administrative divisions of New York (state)#County, county in the State of New York, ...

, New York to Pasquale Serrapica and Anna Balestrieri. He was the fourth sibling in a family consisting of thirteen children including: Vincent, Louis, Adolf, Carmela, Sylvia, Ida, Nancy, Romeo, Julio, Rose, Benito and Madleine. His formal musical education included studies with the accordionist Joseph Rossi from 1926 to 1929 at the

Pietro Deiro Pietro Deiro (1888 – 1954) was one of the most influential accordionists of the first half of the 20th century. Born on August 28, 1888 in Salto Canavese, Italy, the younger brother of Guido Deiro, Pietro Deiro emigrated to the United St ...

School in New York. At the age of 14 he performed live on the Italian radio station WCDA and has been described as a child prodigy on the accordion. In addition, he undertook studies in piano and harmony with Albert Rizzi from 1929 to 1932 and in harmony and counterpoint with Gene Von Hallberg, founder of the American Accordionists Association, for two years. A lifelong friendship with the accordionist Louise Del Monte was established as a result of these studies. Del Monte awakened Serry's interest in Latin American music."Biography", ''Accordion World'', March 1946, Vol. 11, #11, p. 3 Advanced studies in harmony and orchestration were completed under the instruction of the composer

Robert Strassburg Robert Strassburg (August 30, 1915 – October 25, 2003) was a leading American conductor, composer, musicologist and music educator of the twentieth century. His studies in music were completed under the supervision of such leading composers a ...

in the 1940s.

Career

The 1930s: The big band era

With the help of Del Monte, in the 1930s Serry began his professional career by making appearances with the Ralph Gomez Tango Orchestra at

The Rainbow Room The Rainbow Room is a private event space on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Tishman Speyer, it is among the highest venues in New York City. The Rainbow Room serves c ...

at the RCA Building in Rockefeller Center,''Accordion News'', March, 1935 leading to an extended engagement there in 1935. During this time he also appeared as a soloist at the

in New York City. During the 1930's Serry played with the Hugo Mariani Tango Orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel,"Biography", ''Accordion World'', March 1946, Vol. 11, #11, p. 3 with Alfred Brito, a Cuban orchestra leader in New York (1936), and Misha Borr, conductor of the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra. He appeared as a soloist for society functions at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel's Waldorf Towers and at its Starlight Roof with the Lester Lanin Orchestra. In addition, he performed regularly at clubs such as

, the Rainbow Room, El Chico, and the Riviera in New York City. Serry performed with the jazz group

Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Shep may refer to: People Given name *Shep Fields, American band leader * Shep Goodman, American music producer and songwriter *Shep Gordon, American talent manager, Hollywood film agent, and producer * Shep Mayer, Canadian ice hockey player *Shep ...

during a nationwide tour with live radio broadcasts from the

hotel in Chicago, Illinois, and the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, over the NBC network (1937–1938).These

big band remote A big band remote (a.k.a. dance band remote) was a remote broadcast, common on radio during the 1930s and 1940s, involving a coast-to-coast live transmission of a big band. Overview Broadcasts were usually transmitted by the major radio networks d ...

broadcasts used Zenith's Radiogran technology. In 1937, he also recorded the distinctive Shep Fields' theme song with the Shep Fields Rippling Rhythm Orchestra for

Eli Oberstein Elliott Everett "Eli" Oberstein (born Elias Oberstein; December 13, 1901 – June 12, 1960) was an American record producer and music business executive who established the influential Bluebird record label in the 1930s and owned a succession ...

on RCA Victor's Bluebird label (Victor, BS-017494, 1937). His performances as a member of the orchestra are also documented in the film ''

The Big Broadcast of 1938 ''The Big Broadcast of 1938'' is a Paramount Pictures musical comedy film starring W. C. Fields and featuring Bob Hope. Directed by Mitchell Leisen, the film is the last in a series of ''Big Broadcast'' movies that were variety show anthologies ...

'' ("This Little Ripple Had Rhythm" and "

Thanks for the Memory "Thanks for the Memory" (1938) is a popular song composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Leo Robin. It was introduced in the 1938 film ''The Big Broadcast of 1938'' by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross, and recorded by Shep Fields and His Orchestra ...

"), which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1939. While touring with Shep Fields, he also recorded several popular songs of the time for Bluebird Records, including " With a Smile and a Song", "

Whistle While You Work "Whistle While You Work" is a song with music written by Frank Churchill and lyrics written by Larry Morey for the 1937 animated Disney film '' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''. It was performed in the film by voice actress Adriana Caselotti ...

", and "

Now It Can Be Told "Now It Can Be Told" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin for the 1938 film '' Alexander's Ragtime Band'', where it was introduced by Alice Faye and Don Ameche. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1938 but lost out to "Thanks for the ...

The 1940s: The golden age of radio

Serry married his wife Julia in the 1940s and moved to Nassau County, New York on Long Island to raise a family of four children which included

John Serry Jr. John Serry Jr. (born John Serrapica Jr.; January 19, 1954) is an American jazz pianist and composer, as well as a composer of contemporary classical music works that feature percussion, on which he also doubles.Jazz.com, Encyclopedia of Jazz M ...

He simultaneously undertook private studies with: Joscha Zade in piano (1945–1946), Arthur Guttow an organist at the

(1946) and

in Orchestration and Advanced Harmony (1948–1950). He specialized in the works of Gershwin,

Debussy (Achille) Claude Debussy (; 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionism in music, Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most infl ...

, and

Ravel Joseph Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 – 28 December 1937) was a French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with Impressionism along with his elder contemporary Claude Debussy, although both composers rejected the term. In ...

.''Who Is Who In Music International 1958'', Publisher: Who Is Who In Music International, Chicago, IL. Biographical File # B11719. See International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England as current publisher. Ny-town-hall

Building upon his concert experiences of the 1930s, Serry entered the golden age of radio performing on the CBS radio network and assisted several concert artists in New York City including:

Marianne Oswald Marianne Oswald (January 9, 1901 – February 25, 1985) was the stage name of Sarah Alice Bloch, a French singer and actress born in Sarreguemines in Alsace-Lorraine. She took this stage name from a character she much admired, the unhappy Oswald ...

(aka Marianne Lorraine) in the poem ''Mr. Lincoln and His Gloves'' (by Carl Sandburg) and in ''Never Before'' (by Archibald MacLeish) at Town Hall (1942). This performance was praised in ''The Players Magazine - National Journal of Educational Dramatics''. ''The New York Times'' described it as being skillfully presented. For ten years Serry performed as an original member of

's CBS Pan American Orchestra (1940–1949)''The New York Times'', 5 November 1983, p. 34 on the '' Viva América'' program for the Department of State's Office of Inter-American Affairs (OCIAA) in support of its

initiatives.Media Sound & Culture in Latin America & The Caribbean. Editors: Bronfman, Alejandra & Wood, Andrew Grant. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, 2012, Pg. 49
Pan-Americanism & CBS & "Viva America" on Books.Google.com See P. 48-49
/ref> He also worked with Antonini, Nestor Mesta Chayres and members of the

New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic, officially the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., globally known as New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) or New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, is a symphony orchestra based in New York City. It is ...

in the ''Night of the Americas Concert'' gala at Carnegie Hall in 1946. During this period, several international concert musicians also appeared on ''Viva America'' or recorded music with Antonini's Viva America Orchestra including:

Terig Tucci Terig Tucci (June 23, 1897 – February 28, 1973) was an Argentine composer, violinist, pianist, and mandolinist. Tucci was born in Buenos Aires, in 1897. His first composition, “Cariños de madre” was performed for a zarzuela at the ...

(1942)''The New York Times'', 17 January 1942, p. 30

Juan Arvizu Juan Nepomuceno Arvizu Santelices (known as Juan Arvizu; Santiago de Querétaro, May 22, 1900 - Mexico City, November 19, 1985), was an acclaimed lyric tenor in Mexico and a noted interpreter of the Latin American bolero and tango on the internati ...

(1940s);

Nestor Mesta Chayres Néstor Mesta Cháyres (aka Nestor Chaires, Ciudad Lerdo, February 26, 1908 - Mexico City, June 29, 1971) was an acclaimed tenor in Mexico and a noted interpreter of Spanish songs, boleros and Mexican romantic music on the international concer ...

(1940s);

Eva Garza Eva Garza (May 11, 1917 – November 1, 1966) was a Mexican-American singer and film actress who acquired international recognition in the 1940s and 1950s during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. She collaborated on live radio shows and films wi ...

(1940s);

Elsa Miranda Elsa M. Miranda (14 February 1922 – 27 April 2007) was a noted Puerto Rican singer who was featured on radio and television in the United States during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1940s. As a naturalized Argentinian, she was also active as ...

(1940s),

Los Panchos Originally, Trio Los Panchos are a '' trío romántico'' formed in New York City in 1944 by Alfredo Gil, Chucho Navarro, and Hernando Avilés. The trio became one of the leading exponents of the bolero and the romantic ballad in Latin America. ...

Trio (1946). Performances by members of Antonini's CBS Pan American Orchestra on ''Viva America'' have been credited with helping to introduce Latin American music and the Mexican

to large audiences in the United States in the 1940s. In addition, Serry also recorded examples of music unrelated to the bolero. During the 1940's he collaborated with the Mischa Borr Orchestra and the vocalist Sidor Belarsky to record several russian and ukrainian folk songs for Victor records including: "Dark Night" (Victor 26-5037), "Hobo Song" (Victor 26-5036, 1946), "By the Cradle" (Victor 26-5035, 1946), "Katusha" (Victor 26-5035, 1946) Serry recorded his work "Leone Jump" as a member of the Biviano Accordion & Rhythm Sextette with

Tony Mottola Anthony C. Mottola (April 18, 1918 – August 9, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist who released dozens of solo albums. Mottola was born in Kearny, New Jersey and died in Denville. Career Like many of his contemporaries, Mottola began ...

on guitar and Angelo Delleria on accordion for Sonora Records in 1945. The album includes performances of " Little Brown Jug", "Golden Wedding", "

Swing Low Sweet Chariot "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African-American spiritual song and one of the best-known Christian hymns. Originating in early oral and musical African-American traditions, the date it was composed is unknown. Performances by the Hampton Singer ...

", " That's a Plenty", and "The Jazz Me Blues". Later in 1949, accordionist Joe Biviano collaborated with the RCA Victor Accordion Orchestra to record Serry's composition "Manhattan Hop" for RCA Victor. Earlier in the decade he also recorded several popular songs for Victor Records as a member of the noted

Charles Magnante Charles Magnante (December 7, 1905 – December 30, 1986) was an American piano-accordionist, arranger, composer, author and educator. His artistry helped raise the image of the accordion from an instrument considered suitable only for fol ...

Accordion Band in 1941 including: "Clarinete Polka", '"Halli-Hallo- Halli", "Le Secret" and "Swing Me A Polka". As an educator, Serry founded and operated a music studio in Manhattan and Long Island, New York. Between 1945 and the late 1980s he provided instruction on accordion, piano, and organ. His pupils included Anthony Ettore, president of the American Accordionist's Association, and Robert Davine, an accordionist and educator at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver as well as his son John Serry Jr. In addition he was invited to contribute to the annual series of Master Accordion Classes and seminars sponsored by the American Accordionists Association in New York City in August 2000. He also published several method books for his elementary, intermediate, and advanced grade students between 1945 and 1983. He took note of the limitations imposed by the

Stradella bass system The Stradella Bass System (sometimes called ''standard bass'') is a buttonboard layout equipped on the bass side of many accordions, which uses columns of buttons arranged in a circle of fifths; this places the principal major chords of a key (I ...

during performances of classical music. In an effort to circumvent these limitations, he designed and developed a working model of a

free-bass system A free-bass system is a system of left-hand bass buttons on an accordion, arranged to give the performer greater ability to play melodies with the left-hand and form one's own chords. The left-hand buttonboard consists of single-note buttons wi ...

for the accordion during this decade. It incorporated dual keyboards for the soloist's left hand while incorporating two sets of reeds which were tuned in octaves. This gave the soloist access to a range of tones which exceeded three and one-half octaves. While on staff at CBS, Serry performed on several network shows including: ''The Gordon MacRae Show'' ''Star of Stars'' (from CBS' Starline Roof, conductor Archie Bleyer, 1946); ''The Danny O'Neil Show'' (guest, 1946); ''The Coca-Cola Hour'' with the Percy Faith Orchestra (conductor

Percy Faith Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a Canadian-American bandleader, orchestrator, composer and conductor, known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. He is often credited with popularizing the "easy listeni ...

, 1948); ''The Jack Smith Show'' (1947); ''The Jean Sablon Show ''(1947); and ''Studio One'' with cellist Bernard Greenhouse.

The 1950s: Live network television

During the early days of network television in the 1950s, Serry performed at CBS as a staff member of the original CBS Orchestra (1949–1960) and an accompanist on several live network television programs including ''The Jackie Gleason Show'' in 1953, ''The Frank Sinatra Show'' in the 1950s,and on the prime time drama ''I Remember Mama'' in 1953 starring

Peggy Wood Mary Margaret Wood (February 9, 1892 – March 18, 1978) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. She is best remembered for her performance as the title character in the CBS television series '' Mama'' (1949–1957), for which ...

. In 1951 he also arranged his compositions ''La Culebra'' and ''African Bolero'' for solo flute. He dedicated the scores to his close friend

Julius Baker Julius Baker (September 23, 1915 – August 6, 2003) was one of the foremost American orchestral flute players. During the course of five decades he concertized with several of America's premier orchestral ensembles including the Chicago Sympho ...

. During this time he also performed under the musical direction of

Andre Kostelanetz Andre Kostelanetz (russian: Абрам Наумович Костелянец; December 22, 1901 – January 13, 1980) was a Russian-born American popular orchestral music conductor and arranger who was one of the major exponents of popular orches ...

at CBS. Performances on the radio also continued and included: appearances as a member of the Magnante Accordion Quartet, on ''The Lucky Strike Hour'', ''Waltz Time'', and ''The American Melody Hour (1940s)''. He occasionally substituted for the quartet's founder

. On the Broadway stage he performed under director

Harold Clurman Harold Edgar Clurman (September 18, 1901 – September 9, 1980) was an American theatre director and drama critic. In 2003, he was named one of the most influential figures in U.S. theater by PBS.

in a production of

Arthur Laurents Arthur Laurents (July 14, 1917 – May 5, 2011) was an American playwright, theatre director, film producer and screenwriter. After writing scripts for radio shows after college and then training films for the U.S. Army during World War ...

play ''

The Time of the Cuckoo ''The Time of the Cuckoo'' is a play by Arthur Laurents. It focuses on the bittersweet romance between Leona Samish, a single American executive secretary vacationing in Europe and Renato Di Rossi, a shopkeeper she meets in Venice. Di Rossi, trappe ...

'' with

Shirley Booth Shirley Booth (born Marjory Ford; August 30, 1898October 16, 1992) was an American actress. One of only 24 performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, Booth was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony ...

and

Dino Di Luca Dino Di Luca (5 May 1903 - 11 May 1991), also billed as Dino Diluca, was a leading Italian actor of both stage, screen and television. He was active in both Italy and the United States of America from the 1930s through the 1960s. Biography Dino D ...

. Serry composed, arranged and performed several compositions for

Dot Records Dot Records was an American record label founded by Randy Wood (record producer), Randy Wood and Gene Nobles that was active between 1950 and 1978. The original headquarters of Dot Records were in Gallatin, Tennessee. In 1956, the company moved ...

(#DLP3024) with

Al Caiola Alexander Emil Caiola (September 7, 1920 – November 9, 2016) was an American guitarist, composer and arranger, who spanned a variety of music genres including jazz, country, rock, and pop. He recorded over fifty albums and worked with some of ...

and Bernie Leighton on his album '' Squeeze Play'' (1956).Review of album ''Squeeze Play'', p. 22
in ''

The Billboard The Billboard () is a massive granite monolith in the Sarnoff Mountains of the Ford Ranges of Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica, standing just west of Mount Rea between Arthur Glacier and Boyd Glacier. It was discovered in November 1934 by a Se ...

'', 1 December 1956 The production received a critical review as a new popular album in ''

'' in 1956 and was cited for establishing a beautiful soothing mood. The album was also critically reviewed in '' Cash Box'' magazine later that year. It features his original composition ''Garden In Monaco'' which is adapted from the theme of an ancient Italian serenade. Serry was applauded for establishing a wide variety of musical moods with grace, while simultaneously emphasizing a relaxed performance style. In 1958 several songs from the album were released once again in France by Versailles records (# 90 M 178) as ''Chicago Musette - John Serry et son Accordéon''. These activities led to Serry's nomination to the "Who Is Who In Music International" in 1958. His advanced grade composition for accordion, '' American Rhapsody'' was completed and published during 1955.

Death

Serry died after a brief illness on Long Island, New York in 2003, age 88.

Performance style

Several of John Serry's early live performances and recordings were reviewed by critics in such noted magazines as ''

'', '' Cash Box'' and ''The Players Magazine - National Journal of Educational Dramatics''. His recording with the Biviano Accordion and Rhythm Sextette for Sonora Records in 1945 (''Accordion Capers'') was reviewed by ''Billboard'' magazine, which noted that the music on the album was strictly for listening as opposed to dancing. While accompanying a dramatic vocalist he was cited for contributing to an intriguing and nuanced performance. His recording of Latin American music with the Alfredo Antonini Viva America Orchestra was described as "as amongst the most attractive" by critics at ''The New Records'' in 1946.The New Records. ''Latin American Music - Alfredo Antonini and Viva America orchestra'' H. Royer Smith Co., Philadelphia, PA, Vol. 14, No. 8 October 1946, P. 6-
''Latin American Music - Alfredo Antonini and Viva America Orchestra'' critical review of the album in ''The New Records'' P. 6-7 on archive.org
/ref> His musical arrangements were also cited for using the accordion to convey a variety of musical moods with easy-going grace intended for low-pressure listening. Above all else, he was applauded on his album ''Squeeze Play'' for utilizing the accordion to establish a beautiful, relaxed and soothing mood while avoiding a more common type of "show-off" performance.

Works

Compositions and arrangements

His compositions include: * ''Desert Rumba'' (for accordion, 1939; publisher Antobal Music, 1951) * ''Glissando'' (for accordion, publisher Biviano Music, 1942) * ''Tarantella'' (for accordion, 1942; publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Valse'' (Composer Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky (Opus 39 No. 8), arr. for accordion, publisher Viccas Music, 1946) * ''Fantasy in F'' (for accordion, publisher Viccas Music, 1946) * ''Consolation Waltz'' (for accordion, publisher O. Pagani & Bro., 1948) * ''Uncle Charlie's Polka'' (for accordion, publisher O. Pagani Bro., 1948) * ''The Bugle Polka'' (for accordion, publisher O. Pagani Bro., 1948) * ''Leone Jump'' (for accordion, publisher Pietro Deiro, 1956) * ''La Culebra'' (for accordion, 1950; arr. accordion & flute; 1950, arr. flute solo 1991; publisher Antobal Music, 1951) * ''African Bolero'' (for accordion, 1950; arr. accordion & flute; 1950, arr. flute solo 1991; publisher Antobal Music, 1951) * ''The Syncopated Accordionist'' (for accordion, publisher/editor Charles Colin, 1952) * ''The First Ten Lessons for Accordion'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1952) * ''Accordion Method Books I, II, III, IV'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1953) * ''Rhythm-Airs for Accordion'' (editor John Serry, publisher Charles Colin & Bugs Bower, 1953) * ''La Cinquantaine'' (m. Gabriel Marie, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1954) * ''Allegro'' (m. Joseph Hayden, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1954) * ''Top Ten Accordion Solos – Easy to Play'' (editor: John Serrapica, publisher Alpha Music, 1954) * ''Junior Accordion Band Series'' (arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Tango Verde'' (m. Romero, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Holiday in Rio'' (m. Terig Tucci, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''En Tu Reja'' (m. Romero, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Tango of Love'' (for accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Manolas'' (m. Escobar, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''Petite Tango'' (for accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music, 1955) * ''The Lost Tango'' for accordion, Words by Edward Steinfeld, 1956) * ''Garden in Monaco'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1956) * ''Rockin' the Anvil'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1956) * ''Selected Accordion Solos'' (arr. accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1956) * ''Spooky Polka'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1957) * ''Reeds in a Rush'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1957) * ''American Rhapsody'' (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1957) * ''Processional for Organ'' (liturgical bridal march for organ, 1968) * ''Falling Leaves'' (for piano, 1976) * ''A Savior Is Born'' (

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...

liturgical for organ & voice, 1991) * ''The Lord's Prayer'' (liturgical

Lord's Prayer The Lord's Prayer, also called the Our Father or Pater Noster, is a central Christian prayer which Jesus taught as the way to pray. Two versions of this prayer are recorded in the gospels: a longer form within the Sermon on the Mount in the Gosp ...

for organ and chorus, 1992)

Advanced compositions

Serry's compositions in the symphonic jazz and classical music genres include: Performers can locate the scores to "American Rhapsody" and "Concerto For Free Bass Accordion" which were donated to the

Eastman School of Music The Eastman School of Music is the music school of the University of Rochester, a private research university in Rochester, New York. It was established in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman. It offers Bachelor of Music ...

Sibley Music Library Sibley Music Library is the library of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY. It was founded in 1904 by Hiram Watson Sibley in honor of his father Hiram Sibley and is said to be the largest university music library in the US. History The li ...

's - Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections Department by contacting the archivist here. * '' American Rhapsody'' (for accordion, 1955: published by Alpha Music 1957; transcribed for piano, 2002) * ''

Concerto For Free Bass Accordion ''Concerto for Free Bass Accordion'' was written for the solo Free-bass system accordion by John Serry, Sr. in 1964 and was revised in 1966. A transcription for solo piano was completed in 1995 and revised in 2002. Written in the classical music ...

'' (for accordion, 1966; transcribed for piano, 1995–2002, unpublished, a.k.a. ''Concerto in C Major for Bassetti Accordion'')

Discography

* '' Squeeze Play'' – Dot Records (catalogue #DLP-3024) (1956) * ''RCA Thesaurus'' - RCA Victor Transcriptions series of over thirty works. John Serry Sr. as a contributing arranger and soloist with The Bel-Cordions accordion Sextette ensemble and Ben Selvin – Music Director (1954). List of musical arrangements -''Allegro'' -

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have le ...

, ''

The Golden Wedding "''La Cinquantaine''" (French "the fiftieth anniversary") is a piece of music which was composed by Jean Gabriel-Marie in 1887. A swing arrangement of the work by James "Jiggs" Noble, recorded in New York City in late 1940 or early 1941 by Woody ...

( La Cinquantaine)'' -

Jean Gabriel-Marie Jean Gabriel Prosper Marie (8 January 1852 – 29 August 1928) was a French romantic composer and conductor. Biography Gabriel-Marie was born in Paris, France on 8 January 1852. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and held a prominent posit ...

, ''Tango of Love'' - John Serry Sr., ''

Shine On, Harvest Moon "Shine On, Harvest Moon" is a popular early-1900s song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. It was one of a series of moon-related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era. The song was debuted by Bayes and Norworth in the Z ...

'' -

Jack Noworth John Godfrey Knauff (January 5, 1879 – September 1, 1959), known professionally as Jack Norworth, was an American songwriter, singer and vaudeville performer. Biography Norworth is credited as writer of a number of Tin Pan Alley hits. He wr ...

Nora Bayes Nora Bayes (born Rachel Eleonora "Dora" Goldberg; October 3, 1880March 19, 1928) was an American singer and vaudeville performer who was popular internationally between the 1900s and 1920s. She is credited with co-writing the song " Shine On, Ha ...

, ''

My Melancholy Baby "My Melancholy Baby" is a popular song published in 1912 and first sung publicly by William Frawley. The music was written by Ernie Burnett (1884–1959), the lyrics by George A. Norton. Background Ernie Burnett, who composed the music, was ...

'' - Ernie Burnett & George A. Norton, ''

Singin' in the Rain ''Singin' in the Rain'' is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds and featuring Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell and Cyd C ...

'' -

Arthur Freed Arthur Freed (September 9, 1894 – April 12, 1973) was an American lyricist and Hollywood film producer. He won the Academy Award for Best Picture twice, in 1951 for '' An American in Paris'' and in 1958 for '' Gigi''. Both films were musicals. ...

Nacio Herb Brown Ignacio Herbert "Nacio Herb" Brown (February 22, 1896 – September 28, 1964) was an American writer of popular songs, movie scores and Broadway theatre music in the 1920s through the early 1950s. Amongst his most enduring work is the scor ...

, '' Nobody's Sweetheart'' -

Elmer Schoebel Elmer Schoebel (September 8, 1896 – December 14, 1970) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Early life He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States. Career Schoebel played along to silent films in Champaign, Illino ...

Gus Kahn Gustav Gerson Kahn (November 6, 1886October 8, 1941) was an American lyricist who contributed a number of songs to the Great American Songbook, including "Pretty Baby", " Ain't We Got Fun?", " Carolina in the Morning", " Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Go ...

, ''

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

'' -

Fred Fisher Fred Fisher (born Alfred Breitenbach, September 30, 1875 – January 14, 1942) was a German-born American songwriter and Tin Pan Alley music publisher. Biography Fisher was born in Cologne, Germany. His parents were Max and Theodora Breitenb ...

, '' If You Knew Susie'' -

Buddy DeSylva George Gard "Buddy" DeSylva (January 27, 1895 – July 11, 1950) was an American songwriter, film producer and record executive. He wrote or co-wrote many popular songs and, along with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs, he co-founded Capitol Rec ...

& Joseph Meyer, ''

Somebody Stole My Gal "Somebody Stole My Gal" is a popular song from 1918, written by Leo Wood. In 1924, Ted Weems & his Orchestra had a five-week run at number one with his million-selling version. Its Pee Wee Hunt and his orchestra version is also known in Japan, par ...

'' -

Leo Wood Leo Wood ''(aka'' Jack Wood; ''né'' Leopold Wood Lantheaume; 2 September 1882 – 2 August 1929) was an American songwriter and lyricist. Career Leo Wood was born in San Francisco to Louis Ferdinand Lantheaume and Hannah Marcuse Wood ''(maiden) ...

, ''

Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" is a vaudeville and music hall song. Its first known public performance was in Henry J. Sayers' 1891 revue ''Tuxedo'' in Boston, Massachusetts. The song became widely known in the version sung by Lottie Collins in London mu ...

'' -

Paul Stanley (composer) Paul Stanley (né Sonnenberg) (February 8, 1848 – March 14, 1909) was a German-born American composer and vaudeville comedian who some credit (but most do not) with writing the music for the ditty Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay for Henry F. Sayers' 1891 ...

, '' Old McDonald'' - children's music, ''

Beer Barrel Polka "Beer Barrel Polka", also known as "The Barrel Polka", "Roll Out the Barrel", or "Rosamunde", is a 1927 polka composed by Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda. Lyrics were added in 1934, subsequently gaining worldwide popularity during World War II a ...

'' - Jaromir Vejvoda/ Eduard Ingris, ''I Love Louisa'' -

Arthur Schwartz Arthur Schwartz (November 25, 1900 – September 3, 1984) was an American composer and film producer, widely noted for his songwriting collaborations with Howard Dietz. Biography Early life Schwartz was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on Nov ...

Howard Dietz Howard Dietz (September 8, 1896 – July 30, 1983) was an American publicist, lyricist, and librettist, best remembered for his songwriting collaboration with Arthur Schwartz. Biography Dietz was born in New York City. He attended Columbia Co ...

, '' Oh You Beautiful Doll'' - Seymour Brown/ Nat D. Ayer, ''

Chinatown, My Chinatown "Chinatown, My Chinatown" is a popular song written by William Jerome (words) and Jean Schwartz (music) in 1906 and later interpolated into the musical ''Up and Down Broadway'' (1910).Ruhlmann, ''Breaking Records''p. 31 The song has been reco ...

'' -

William Jerome William Jerome Flannery, September 30, 1865 – June 25, 1932) was an American songwriter, born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York of Irish immigrant parents, Mary Donnellan and Patrick Flannery. He collaborated with numerous well-known composers a ...

Jean Schwartz Jean Schwartz (November 4, 1878 – November 30, 1956) was a Hungarian-born American songwriter. Schwartz was born in Budapest, Hungary. His family moved to New York City when he was 13 years old. He took various music-related jobs including dem ...

* ''Accordion Capers'' - Sonora Records (catalogue # MS 476) - as a member of the Biviano Accordion & Rhythm Sextette. (1947)List of musical selections: '' Little Brown Jug''- Joseph Eastburn Winner, ''

(La Cinquantaine)'' -

, ''Leone Jump'' - John Serry, ''

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African-American spiritual song and one of the best-known Christian hymns. Originating in early oral and musical African-American traditions, the date it was composed is unknown. Performances by the Hampton Singer ...

''-

Wallace Willis Wallace Willis was a Choctaw freedman living in the Indian Territory, in what is now Choctaw County, near the city of Hugo, Oklahoma, US. His dates are unclear: perhaps 1820 to 1880. He is credited with composing (probably before 1860) several ...

, '' That's a Plenty'' -

Lew Pollack Lew Pollack (June 16, 1895 – January 18, 1946) was an American song composer and musician active during the 1920s and the 1930s. Career Pollack was born in New York City where he went to DeWitt Clinton High School and was active as a boy sopra ...

, ''Scotch Medley'' - folk music, ''The Jazz Me Blues'' - Tom Delaney * ''Latin American Music'' - Alpha Records (catalogue # 12205A, 12205B, 12206A, 12206B) - as a member of the Viva America Orchestra - Conductor Alfredo Antonini (1946)List of recordings: ''Caminito de tu Casa'' -

Julio Alberto Hernández Julio Alberto Hernández (September 27, 1900 – April 2, 1999) was a Dominican composer. He specialized in folk-music based compositions. Biography He was born in Santiago de los Caballeros and is the nephew of P.T. Camejo. In addition to s ...

, ''Chapinita'' -

Miguel Sandoval Miguel Sandoval (born November 16, 1951) is an American actor of film and television. Biography Sandoval was born in Washington, D.C. He began working as a professional actor in 1975 when he joined a mime school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ...

, ''Adios Mariquita Linda'' - Marcos A. Jimenez, ''Mi Nuevo Amor'', '' La Zandunga'' - Andres Gutierrez/Maximo Ramo Ortiz, ''La Mulata Tomasa'' - Lazaro Quintero, ''Tres Palabras'' - Osvaldo Farres, ''

Noche de ronda "Noche de ronda" is a waltz written by Mexican songwriter and composer Agustín Lara and published in 1935. Mexican singer Elvira Ríos sang the song in the 1937 film ''¡Esos hombres!''. It became her signature song and one of the biggest hits of h ...

'' - Augustin Lara * ''

Granada Granada (,, DIN: ; grc, Ἐλιβύργη, Elibýrgē; la, Illiberis or . ) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the c ...

'' - Decca Records (catalogue # 23770A) - as a member of the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra with the lyric tenor

(1946) * ''Chiquita Banana'' - Alpha (catalogue # 1001A) - as a member of the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra, conductor Alfredo Antonini, vocalist

(1946) * ''Leone Jump'' – Sonora Records (catalogue # 3001 B) - as a member of the Biviano Accordion & Rhythm Sextette. (1945) * ''Clarinet Polka'' - Bluebird (catalogue # B-11294-A) - John Serry (aka John Serrapica) as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Band (1941). * ''Swing Me a Polka'' - Victor (matrix # BS-067555) - John Serry (aka John Serrapica) as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Band (1941.John Serrapica as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Band on the University of California Santa Barbara Library's Discography of American Historical Recordings at adp.library.ucsb.edu
/ref> *''Le Secret'' - Victor (matrix # BS-067556) - John Serry (aka John Serrapica) as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Band (1941. * ''Halli-Hallo-Halli'' - Victor (matrix # BS-067556) - John Serry (aka John Serrapica) as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Band (1941. * ''Tres Palabras'' and ''Esta Noche Ha Pasado'' - Columbia Records (catalogue # 6201-X) - as a member of the CBS Pan American Orchestra - Conductor Alfredo Antionini, Vocalist Luis G. Roldan (194?)List of songs: ''Tres Palabras'' - Osvaldo Farres, ''Esta Noche Ha Pasado'' - M. Sabre Marroquin * '' Asi'' and ''Somos Diferentes'' - Columbia Records (catalogue # 6202-X) - as a member of the CBS Pan American Orchestra - Conductor Alfredo Antonini, Vocalist Luis G. Roldan (194?)List of songs: ''Asi'' - María Grever, ''Somos Diferentes'' - Pablo Beltran Ruiz * ''La Palma'' and ''Rosa Negra'' - Pilotone Records (catalogue # 5067 & # 5069) - as a member of Alfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra, Vocalists Los Panchos Trio (194?)List of songs: ''La Palma'' (Chilian cueca dance), ''Rosa Negra'' (Conga) * ''El Bigote de Tomas'' and ''De Donde'' - Columbia Records (Catalogue # 36666) - as a member of the CBS Tipica Orchestra conducted by Alfredo Antonini with tenor Juan Arvizu (194?) List of musical selections: ''El Bigote de Tomas'' - Valie, ''De Donde'' - María Grever * ''Mi Sarape'' and ''Que Paso?'' - Columbia Records (catalogue # 36665) - as a member of the CBS Tipica Orchestra conducted by Alfredo Antonini with tenor Juan Arvizu (194?)List of musical selections: ''Mi Sarape'' - María Grever, ''Que Paso?'' - Cortazar * ''Viva Sevilla!'' and ''Noche de Amor'' - Columbia records (catalogue # 36664) - as a member of the CBS Tipica Orchestra conducted by Alfredo Antonini with tenor Juan Arvizu (194?) Musical selections: ''Viva Sevilla!'' - Lavidad/Delmoral, ''Noche de Amor'' - Tchaikovsky arr.Arvizu/Antonini * ''Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra'' - Bluebird Records - as the accordionist (1938)List of recordings 1938: ''A Stranger in Paree'' (#B-7566), ''I Wanna Go Back to Bali'' (B#7566) -

Harry Warren Harry Warren (born Salvatore Antonio Guaragna; December 24, 1893 – September 22, 1981) was an American composer and the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song ...

Al Dubin Alexander Dubin (June 10, 1891 – February 11, 1945) was an American lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren. Life Al Dubin came from a Russian Jewish family that emigrated to the United States from Swi ...

, ''Cathedral in the Pines'' (#B-7553) -

Charles Kenny Charles Francis Kenny (June 23, 1898 – January 20, 1992) was an American composer, lyricist, author, and violinist. His hit songs include "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky", "Love Letters in the Sand", "Laughing at Life", and "Because It's Your ...

/Nick Kenney, ''Somewhere with Somebody Else'' (#B-7555), ''That Feeling Is Gone'' (#B-7555), ''Good Evenin', Good Lookin'' (#B-7553), ''My Walking Stick'' (#B-7592), ''Havin' Myself a Time'' (#B-7581) -

Ralph Rainger Ralph Rainger ( Reichenthal; October 7, 1901 – October 23, 1942) was an American composer of popular music principally for films. Biography Born Ralph Reichenthal in New York City, United States, Rainger initially embarked on a legal career, ...

/Leo Robin, ''Fare Thee Well, Annie Laurie'' (#B-7581), ''This Time It's Real'' (#B-7579), ''If It Rains - Who Cares?'' (#B-7579), ''

'' (#B-7592) -

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...

, ''I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams'' (#B-7581), ''In Any Language'' (#B-7604), ''Where in the World'' (#B-7604), ''

Any Little Girl, That's a Nice Little Girl, Is the Right Little Girl for Me Sheet music cover, 1910 "Any Little Girl, That's a Nice Little Girl, Is the Right Little Girl for Me" is a popular song, first published in 1910, and written by Thomas J. Gray and Fred Fisher. Although largely forgotten today (like many popula ...

'' (#B-7606) - Thomas J. Gray/

, '' In the Merry Month of May'' (#B-7606) - Ed Haley, ''Don't Let That Moon Get Away'' (#B-7697) -

Johnny Burke (lyricist) John Francis Burke (October 3, 1908 – February 25, 1964) was an American lyricist, successful and prolific between the 1920s and 1950s. His work is considered part of the Great American Songbook. His song " Swinging on a Star", from the Bing C ...

James V. Monaco James Vincent Monaco (January 13, 1885 – October 16, 1945) was an Italian-born American composer of popular music. Life and career Monaco was born in Formia, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States when he was six, and he grew u ...

*''Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra'' - Bluebird Records - as the accordionist (1937)List of recordings 1937: '' With a Smile and a Song'' (#B-7343) -

Frank Churchill Frank Edwin Churchill (October 20, 1901 – May 14, 1942) was an American film composer and songwriter. He wrote most of the music for films directed by Walt Disney, such as ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'', ''Dumbo'', ''Bambi'', '' The Adve ...

Larry Morey Lawrence L. Morey (March 26, 1905 – May 8, 1971) was an American lyricist and screenwriter. He co-wrote some of the most successful songs in Disney films of the 1930s and 1940s, including " Heigh-Ho", " Some Day My Prince Will Come", and "Wh ...

, ''

'' (#B-7343) -

, ''It's Wonderful'' (#B-7333), ''I'm the One Who Loves You'' (#B-7333), ''There's a New Moon Over the Old Mill'' (#B-7355) -

Allie Wrubel Elias Paul "Allie" Wrubel (January 15, 1905 – December 13, 1973) was an American composer and songwriter. Biography Wrubel was born to a Jewish family in Middletown, Connecticut, United States, the son of Regina (née Glasscheib) and Isaa ...

Herb Magidson Herbert A. Magidson (January 7, 1906 – January 2, 1986) was an American popular lyricist. His work was used in over 23 films and four Broadway revues. He won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1934. Life and career Magidson was ...

, ''Goodnight, Angel'' (#B-7355)

, ''Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)'' (#B-7345) -

Bernard Hanighen Bernard D. Hanighen (April 27, 1908 in Omaha, Nebraska – October 19, 1976 in New York City, New York) Attended Hackley School (Tarrytown, New York) - Class of 1926, also attended Harvard University - Class of 1930. He was an American songwrite ...

Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallich ...

* ''Chicago Musette-John Serry and His Accordion'' - Versailles (catalogue # 90 M 178) released in France (1958) List of musical arrangements: ''Rock and Roll Polka'' -

Mort Lindsey Mort Lindsey (born Morton Lippman; March 21, 1923, Newark, New Jersey – May 4, 2012, Malibu, California), was an orchestrator, composer, pianist, conductor and musical director for Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Pat Boone, Jack Narz, and Merv G ...

/George Skinner, '' My Heart Cries for You''-

Carl Sigman Carl Sigman (September 24, 1909 – September 26, 2000) was an American songwriter. Early life Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish-American family, Sigman graduated from law school and passed his bar exams to practice in t ...

, '' Secret Love'' - Paul Webster/

Sammy Fain Sammy Fain (born Samuel E. Feinberg; June 17, 1902 – December 6, 1989) was an American composer of popular music. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he contributed numerous songs that form part of The Great American Songbook, and to Broadway theatr ...

, ''

'' -

Agustín Lara Ángel Agustín María Carlos Fausto Mariano Alfonso del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Lara y Aguirre del Pino (; October 30, 1897 – November 6, 1970), known as Agustín Lara, was a Mexican composer and performer of songs and boleros. He is recogn ...

Filmography

* ''

'' (1938) – as himself, performing with the Shep Fields Orchestra.

Invention

Serry was granted a patent in 1966 by the

United States Patent Office The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the national patent office and trademark registration authority for the United States. The USPTO's headquarters are in Alex ...

for his design of a protective shield for collapsible toothpaste tubes (US Patent #US3269604).

Bibliography

* . * . * . * .

Archived works

* Selected examples of Serry's original compositional scores, arrangements, LP recordings, reel to reel recording tapes, biographical articles and other biographical reference materials have been donated for archival purposes to the

within the Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections Department to benefit both researchers and students. Researchers may contact the staff archivist directly for further assistance in obtaining copies of scores or reviewing LP recordings compiled in the "John Serry Sr. Collection".

Professional affiliations

Serry was an active member of the BMI,

SESAC SESAC is a for-profit performance-rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1930 as the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, it is the second-oldest performance-rights organization in the United States.

American Federation of Musicians The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/AFofM) is a 501(c)(5) labor union representing professional instrumental musicians in the United States and Canada. The AFM, which has its headquarters in New York City, ...

(Local #802) (1933–2003), and The

American Guild of Organists The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is an international organization of academic, church, and concert organists in the US, headquartered in New York City with its administrative offices in the Interchurch Center. Founded as a professional educat ...

. For a brief period he served as a charter member of the American Accordionists Association (1938). He pursued professional musical studies with: Joseph Rossi (accordion, 1926–1929); Albert Rizzi (piano and harmony, 1929–1932); Gene Von Hallberg (counterpoint and harmony, 1933–1934) (a founder of the American Accordionists Association); Jascha Zade (piano, 1945–1946); Arthur Guttow (organ, 1946), and Robert Strassburg (piano, advanced harmony, and orchestration, 1948–1950).

References

External links

''Chicago Musette - John Serry et son Accordeon'' - sound recording of Serry performing "Granada" by Agustin Lara on BnF Gallica.bnf.fr

''Tres Palabras'' - sound recording of Serry performing "Tres Palabras" by Osvaldo Farres - CBS Pan American Orchestra, Vocalist Luis G. Roldan on Archive.org

''Esta Noche Ha Pasado'' - sound recording of Serry performing "Esta Noche Ha Pasado" by M. Sabre Marroquin with the CBS Pan American Orchestra, Vocalist Luis G. Roldan on Archive.org

''La Palma''; ''Rosa Negra'' - sound recording of Serry performing "La Palma" & "Rosa Negra"- Viva America orchestra, Vocalists - Los Panchos Trio on Archive.org

''Granada'' - sound recording of John Serry Sr. performing "Granada" by Agustín Lara with the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra, Vocalist Nestor Chayres on Archive.org

''Leone Jump'', ''Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'', ''Jazz Me Blues'' - sound recordings of John Serry Sr. with the Joe Biviano Accordion & Rhythm Sextette on Archive.org

''Viva Sevilla!''; ''Noche de Amor''; ''Mi Sarape''; ''Que Paso?''; ''El Bigote de Tomas''; ''De Donde'' - sound recording of John Serry Sr. performing as accordionist in the CBS Tipica Orchestra conducted by Alfredo Antonini with tenor Juan Arvizu on Archive.org

''Asi'', ''Esta Noche Ha Pasado'', ''Somos Differentes'', and ''Tres Palabras'' - Sound recordings of John Serry Sr. performing as accordionist in the Orquesta Pan Americana with Alfredo Antonini conducting with vocalist Luis G. Roldan at the University of California Los Angeles on fronter.library.ucla.edu

''It's a Grand Night for Singing'' - CBS radio program excerpt from Program of the Three Americas -Viva America Orchestra sound recording at the New York City Public Library Online Catalog at catalog.nypl.org

''Latin American Music'' - Viva America Orchestra 78 RPM sound recordings at The Library of Congress Online Catalog at catalog.loc.gov

* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/343174/Serry_John Discography of American Historical Recordings: University of California Santa Barbara - Audio recordings online of John Serry and the Shep Fields Rippling Rhythm Orchestra 1937 - 1938]
''The Syncopated Accordionist'', ''Rhythm-Airs'', ''The Bugle Polka'', ''Consolation Waltz'' - Musical scores by John Serry on WorldCat.org

''Fantasy In F'' - Musical score by John Serry on WorldCat.org

''Glissando'' - Musical score by John Serry on worldCat.org''Tarantella'' - Musical score by John Serry on WorldCat.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Serry, John Sr. 1915 births 2003 deaths Musicians from Brooklyn People from Brookville, New York Classical musicians from New York (state) Jazz musicians from New York (state) 20th-century accordionists 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians 20th-century classical composers 20th-century jazz composers 20th-century organists American classical accordionists American classical composers American classical organists American jazz accordionists American jazz composers American male classical composers American music arrangers American people of Italian descent Dot Records artists Jazz-influenced classical composers American male jazz composers American male organists Male classical organists

Biography

Career

The 1930s: The big band era

The 1940s: The golden age of radio

The 1950s: Live network television

Death

Performance style

Works

Compositions and arrangements

Advanced compositions

Discography

Filmography

Invention

Bibliography

Archived works

Professional affiliations

See also

References

External links