Lester Lanin
Lester Lanin was a band leader and contractor who was known for playing inaugural balls and high-society functions.
Synopsis
Lester Lanin formed his own dance band in Philadelphia, playing dancing music often known as “society style” because of the fashionable people who preferred it. He played at every U.S. presidential inaugural ball, beginning with President Eisenhower's, and also performed at British royal weddings and other fashionable events. By 1978 he employed some 1650 musicians in 45 bands.
Profile
Bandleader and contractor, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. His brothers Sam and Howard Lanin were also dance-band leaders and band contractors. In 1937 Lester formed his own dance band in Philadelphia, playing strict-tempo dancing music often known as ??society-style?? because of the fashionable people who preferred it. By the late 1940s he had emerged as the most prominent of the brothers and was asked to play at so many occasions that he had begun to contract out a series of bands under his name, appearing personally at only the most important events. He played at every US presidential inaugural ball, beginning with President Eisenhower's, and also performed at British royal weddings and other fashionable events. By 1978 he employed some 1650 musicians in 45 bands as the Lester Lanin Music Corp, and had many hit recordings on various labels. He remained active into the 1990s.
