Mini Biography

Birth name Melvin Howard Torme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nickname The Kid With the Gauze In His Jaws The Velvet Fog Mr. Butterscotch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mini biography A professional singer at the age of three, Mel Torme was a genuine musical prodigy. As a teenager, he played the drums in Chico Marx's band and earned the nickname "The Velvet Fog" because of his smooth, mellow high baritone voice. In the 1940s he formed his own group, the Mel-Tones, one of the first jazz-influenced vocal groups. As a solo musician, he had a number one hit in 1949 called "Careless Love, " and several lesser hits. He also acted in films and wrote several books, including biographies of Judy Garland and Buddy Rich. Torme's career included some songwriting, too. One of his most well-known compositions, "The Christmas Song, " was written in midsummer as Torme relaxed by the pool. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Spouse Ali Severson (1984 - 5 June 1999) (his death) Janette Scott (1966 - 1977) (divorced) 2 children Arlene Niles (1956 - 1965) (divorced) 1 child Susan Perry (1949 - ?) (divorced) 1 child Trivia Suffered a stroke. [8 August 1996] Jazz singer Father of Tracy Tormé He is the father of Steve March. Nicknamed The Velvet Fog, a nickname he was not particularly fond of. Composed the music and words to "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire") Singer of "Lili Marlene" in USA. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1990. Known for "scatting" during a song.