Buffalo News June 2005

     Sam Arlen has never been to Buffalo, but his family connection to the city stretches back a century. Arlen, 47, not only feels that bond, he also hears it in the music of his father. Harold Arlen, who composed the music for such standards as "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "That Old Black Magic" and "Come Rain or Come Shine," was born in a Clinton Street home in 1905. "This was Harold's hometown, and he never forgot it," his son said. "It's nice to know that Buffalo never forgot Harold Arlen." The city and Erie County will honor Harold Arlen this morning with proclamations when his plaque is dedicated.

    "This was Harold's hometown, and he never forgot it," his son said. "It's nice to know that Buffalo never forgot Harold Arlen."

    Arlen will be honored today as the first person inducted into Music Heritage Walk at Kleinhans Music Hall. An exhibit of Arlen's life and work will be on display in Kleinhans. Two concerts celebrating the centennial of Arlen's birth will be performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra with guest artist John Pizzarelli at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Kleinhans. Sam Arlen, a saxophonist, will take part and play two of his father's songs. The city and Erie County also will honor Harold Arlen this morning with proclamations when his plaque is dedicated.

    The Arlen centennial has been marked by concerts and events throughout the world, but the stop in Buffalo has deep meaning for his family. "Buffalo was where it all started for my father. This is where he made something of himself, and this is where his musical influences began," Arlen said. "It's exciting to come here. I want to go the neighborhoods where he grew up."

    Harold Arlen was born Hyman Arluck, son of Cantor Samuel and Celia Orlin Arluck. The family lived near William Street on the East Side, a neighborhood mostly populated by Eastern European Jews and African-Americans.

    Hyman began singing in synagogues at age 7, but during his teenage years, he was playing and singing ragtime songs all over Buffalo. The Jewish and African-American cultural blend came out in his music, and Buffalo played a significant role in his artistic creativity.

    When the Arlens lived on Pratt Street, they rented an upstairs apartment to an African-American family. That family helped introduce Arlen to new musical culture. "The significance of coming back is to see Harold's beginnings and the place where he developed as a musician and composer," said Sharon Marotta, Harold Arlen's granddaughter and Sam's daughter. Arlen lived in Buffalo until his mid-20s, then went to New York City, where he soon became a national success. He died in 1986.

    He is one of the most honored composers in American history. "Over the Rainbow" last year was voted the No. 1 movie song of all time by the American Film Institute. In 2001, it was voted the No. 1 song of the 20th century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

    An article in The Buffalo News' First Sunday Magazine last February helped spur a local movement to honor Arlen. When the concept of a musical heritage walk at Kleinhans was devised, it was decided that Arlen should be the first one honored.

    "He's not only a nationally and internationally acclaimed artist, but Arlen represents something very special about Buffalo," said Catherine F. Schweitzer, a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Board and executive director of the Baird Foundation.

    "He used his culture, his family and his background in the broader context of community," Schweitzer said. "It wasn't about economics - the people in Arlen's neighborhood didn't have a lot of money - it was about people coming together and helping each other.

    "That was 100 years ago, but the lesson of Harold Arlen is significant today. We have to work together for Buffalo, especially during these times."

    Harold Arlen found musical comradeship all over Buffalo. He joined a neighborhood band called The Snappy Trio and later became a member of The Buffalodians, best known for big band dances on the Canadiana, the Crystal Beach boat.

    The Philharmonic was looking for mementos of Arlen's career here when Mike Wesolowski, a record collector and sound engineer, heard about it.

    Wesolowski, 37, who lives in the Town of Tonawanda, purchased an old 78 rpm recording of "Baby Face," by the Buffalodians, earlier this year. It was recorded in the early 1920s. "I didn't even know who the Buffalodians were," Wesolowski said. "I didn't know that Harold Arlen played with the Buffalodians. I just bought it because I like old records; they're like a part of history."

    Wesolowski took the recording and cleaned it up using his computer, burned it to a CD and sent it to the BPO. It will be played during the ceremonies at 10:35 a.m. this morning and be part of the Arlen exhibit. "I think it's wonderful," Wesolowski said. "This is our musical heritage."