{"id":1033,"date":"2013-09-17T14:55:06","date_gmt":"2013-09-17T18:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/?p=1033"},"modified":"2021-02-14T13:03:28","modified_gmt":"2021-02-14T18:03:28","slug":"how-the-sound-of-new-york-came-from-four-brooklyn-high-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/2013\/09\/17\/how-the-sound-of-new-york-came-from-four-brooklyn-high-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"how the sound of New York came from four Brooklyn high schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the great eras in New York City music comes not from a ‘scene’ of musicians and audiences as we normally think of this term, but from the very mercenary activities associated with the songwriters, publishers, and promoters associated with the city’s Tin Pan Alley.\u00a0 In Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era<\/em> (Viking, 2005), historian Ken Emerson makes a strong case for the quintessentially New York sound that was composed, arranged, and produced by Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller, Neil Sedaka, Doc Pomus, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Mort Shuman, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Neil Diamond, Howard Greenfield, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and others who plied their trade in nondescript Manhattan office buildings.\u00a0 Some songs they wrote for art’s sake, as the deep cuts on Dusty in Memphis will illustrate, but for the most part these were pop songwriters who, through talent, pluck, and the right connections made the music of American radio pop heaven in the years between Elvis and the Beatles.<\/p>\n

\"alwaysmagic\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Emerson gives primary significance to the musical and cultural fusions that New York City’s multiethnic population made possible.\u00a0 Jazz, R&B, doo wop, mambo, blues: these were the sounds that a mostly Jewish, NYC-born cohort of songwriters grew up hearing on the streets and in the dancehalls. From such local styles and neighborhood pastimes came fresh, innovative sounds, as a chapter titled “It Was Just Jewish Latin” (pg. 124) recounts:<\/p>\n

\n

“Everybody<\/em> danced to Latin music,” recalled the boxer and writer Jos\u00e9 Torres. A newcomer noticed it right away.When Al Gorgoni, a session guitarist who played for Lieber and Stoller, Al Nevins, and many others, moved from Philadelphia to New York, he discovered a “completely different” music scene. “The exciting stuff was the Latin thing. The Puerto Ricans, the Cubans, and whoever \u2014 the whole culture \u2014 were permeating the vibe. In Philadelphia it was more like Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, and stuff like that.”<\/p>\n

Charlie Thomas took it in stride when [Doc] Pomus said he had “a little cha-cha song” for Thomas to sing. “Brought up in Harlem, you’d be around a lot of Puerto Ricans, so the Latin feel is part of your life. So when they presented it to us, it was already in our heart. Weekends and all night long, that’s all you’d hear: the sound of Puerto Rican drums going through your head.” “Sweets for My Sweet,” on which [Mort] Shuman played piano and added his lusty baritone to the chorus, featured Latin percussion and paid unabashed homage to what Tito Puente was performing at the Palladium. According to Jerry Wexler, the song’s chord changes, appropriated from “Guantanamera,” inspired “Twist and Shout,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” and many later rock songs with a Latin feel.<\/p>\n

“Sweets for My Sweet,” which reached No. 16 in October 1961, was the Drifters’ most explicitly Afro-Cuban single to date and the last of seven hit songs that Pomus and Shuman wrote for the group. It was also the quintessence of the multicultural musical mix that prevailed at 1619 and 1650 Broadway: white writers producing black performers with a Latin beat.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

http:\/\/youtu.be\/VIda157wF6A<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Emerson doesn’t push too hard on this angle, but episodes like these highlight cultural questions of authenticity, appropriation, and justice that seem not to have weighed heavily on Tin Pan Alley’s creatives.\u00a0 Such questions have to be put in historical context: for the most part, they were still bubbling under in the concurrent civil rights and student movement, not to erupt until later in the decade.\u00a0 It’s not clear that any white songwriters ever addressed them satisfactorily, if the embarrassed retreat into more ethnically ‘appropriate’ genres (from Carole King’s 70s singer-songwriter music to Shuman’s adaptations of Jacque Brel) are any evidence.<\/p>\n

Questions of ethnic hierarchy and cultural privilege also surface, I think, in the geography of New York City that Emerson highlights.\u00a0 In particular, I’m always struck by how the Brill Building songwriters he follows hailed overwhelmingly from four high schools in Brooklyn: Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, Brooklyn Tech and Erasmus Hall. And of course, they weren’t the only young talent to originate from Brooklyn in the years just prior to the urban crisis.\u00a0 The list of notable graduates from these schools is absolutely astonishing, as indicated by this unsystematic inventory culled from Wikipedia and student research the last time I taught<\/a> Always Magic in the Air<\/em>; musicians are listed first, with asterisks for individuals documented in Emerson’s book.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abraham Lincoln High School\u00a0\"LIncolnHS\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neil Diamond, class of 1958, singer\/songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Howard Greenfield, songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herbie Mann (n\u00e9 Herbert Jay Solomon), jazz flautist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shelly Manne, jazz drummer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hank Medress, singer in the group the Tokens, best known for “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Buddy Rich, jazz drummer and bandleader
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neil Sedaka, pop singer, pianist, and songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mort Shuman, singer, pianist, and songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Tokens, Neil Sedaka\u2019s teen group (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marv Albert, class of 1959, television sportscaster
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ken Auletta, class of 1957, author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Bellman, class of 1937, applied mathematician and control theorist who invented dynamic programming in 1953
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Berg, class of 1943, won Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mel Brooks (for one year), actor, writer, director, and comedy producer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernard Cornfeld, businessman and international financier
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Millie Deegan, professional baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nelson Figueroa, class of 1992, professional baseball player.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Forsythe, class of 1934, actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sam Goldaper, class of 1940, sportswriter for The New York Times
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Louis Gossett, class of 1954, actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David S. Guzick, class of 1969. Dean, University of Rochester School of Medicine; President University of Florida Health System
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph Heller, class of 1941, author of Catch-22
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leona Helmsley (1920\u20132007), real-estate businesswoman, noted hotelier and “Queen of Mean”
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Raul Hilberg, class of 1942, historian of genocide
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elizabeth Holtzman, class of 1958, Democratic congresswoman; the youngest woman elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jerome Karle, class of 1933, won Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1985
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harvey Keitel, film actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arthur Kornberg, class of 1933, won Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1959
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wallace Markfield, class of 1943, comic novelist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stephon Marbury, class of 1995, professional basketball player (NBA)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lee Mazzilli, class of 1973, former professional baseball player, manager and coach
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paula Michaels, class of 1983, academic, author and educator at the University of Iowa
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arthur Miller, class of 1932, author and playwright, wrote Death of a Salesman and The Crucible
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Larry Namer, class of 1966, Founder of E! Entertainment TV network
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ronald Ribman, class of 1950, author, poet, and playwright
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saul Rogovin, major league pitcher
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seymour Shapiro, Class of 1931, organic chemist, developed phenformin
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alex Steinweiss, class of 1934, graphic designer and inventor of the album cover
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sebastian Telfair, class of 2004, professional basketball player (NBA)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arthur Tress, class of 1958, surrealist photographer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sherry Turkle, class of 1965, Abby Rockefeller Mauz\u00e9 Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Meryl Vladimer, class of 1969, noted theatrical producer (David and Amy Sedaris; Blue Man Group)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jack B. Weinstein, class of 1939, Brooklyn federal district court judge
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dallas Williams, major league baseball player and coach
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stephen Yagman, civil rights lawyer<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

James Madison High School<\/strong>\"james_madison\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mimi Benzell, Opera Singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Buddy Kaye, songwriter, musician, producer, author and publisher
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carole King (Klein),singer\/songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Howie Klein, President of Reprise\/Warner Bros. Records
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elaine Malbin (class of 1948), opera singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Barry Mann, songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Janis Siegel, Singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cal Abrams, Major League Baseball Player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maury Allen (class of 1949), sportswriter
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Larry Baxter, Professional Basketball Player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gary Becker, Nobel Prize Winner – Economics
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Albert Blumenthal, New York State Assembly Leader
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carmela Seidel Bourcier, Executive Producer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Dice Clay, Comedian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norm Coleman, US Senator (Minnesota)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stanley Cohen, Nobel Prize winner, medicine
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norm Coleman (class of 1966), U.S. Senator (Republican of Minnesota)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Dallek (class of 1952), historian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Roy DeMeo (class of 1959), mobster
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harry Eisenstat (class of 1935), Major League baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Devale Ellis, professional football player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sandra Feldman (class of 1956), president of the American Federation of Teachers
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sonny Fox, TV Personality
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Frye (born David Shapiro), comedian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sid Ganis (class of 1957), motion picture executive
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William Gaines, Publisher of Mad Magazine
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marty Glickman, Olympian, Sports Broadcaster
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ron Haigler, basketball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stanley Myron Handleman (class of 1947), comedian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Garson Kanin (class of 1927), writer and director of plays and films
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stanley Kaplan, Educational Testing Innovator
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stanley Karnow, Pulitzer Prize Author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul L. Krinsky (class of 1946), U.S. Navy rear admiral
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Martin Landau, Actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rudy LaRusso, Professional Basketball Player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mell Lazarus, cartoonist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Levane (class of 1940), professional basketball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John William Malone, U.S Congressman
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bruce Morrow, “Cousin Brucie” of Radio
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herbert S. Okun (class of 1947), diplomat
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Martin Lewis Perl (class of 1942), Nobel Prize winner, physics
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sylvia Porter, Financial Columnist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Deborah Poritz (class of 1954), N.J. Attorney General then Chief Justice, N.J. Supreme Court
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chris Rock, Comedian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herb Rosenblum, Broadcast Journalist, Author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norman Rosten, poet, playwright and novelist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dmitriy Salita, Boxer, NABA Light-Welterweight Champion
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernard Sanders, U.S. Senator (Vermont)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator (New York)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ted Schreiber, Major League Baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Irwin Shaw, Novelist (deceased)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Judy Blum Sheindlin, Judge\/TV Personality
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Claire Shulman Kantoff, Queens Borough President
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Roger Shulman, Screenwriter ALF, Shrek
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Solow, Nobel Prize Winner-Economics
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Torre, Professional Baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, University President
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thaddeus Boyd, an African American realist and actor (Tears of the Sun).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brooklyn Technical High School\"BrooklynTech\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Fari\u00f1a, 1945 – Writer, folksinger<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gerry Goffin, songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Francis Grasso, 1967 – Early disco DJ
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vernon Reid, 1976 – Musician, Living Colour
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Raymond Scott c. 1916 – Composer and inventor of the music sequencer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gary Ackerman, 1960 – U.S. Congressman
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Warren Adler, c. 1945 – Author, The War of the Roses
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George L. Bing, 1941 – Tuskegee Airman and Photographer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karol J. Bobko, 1954 \u2013 NASA astronaut
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Catsimatidis, 1966 – Chairman & CEO, Red Apple Group, Inc.; NYC mayoral candidate (2013)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harry Chapin, 1960 – singer-songwriter
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tom Chapin, 1962 – Entertainer, humanitarian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lorenzo Charles 1981 – Professional basketball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frank A. Cipriani, Ph.D. 1951 – President, SUNY at Farmingdale
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam J. Cirillo, 1929 – Educator, championship high-school football coach
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kim Coles, 1980 – Actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Albert L. Colston, Ph.D. \u2013 Creator and founding principal, Brooklyn Tech
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph M. Colucci, 1954 – Executive director, General Motors, Research & Design Center
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Pi\u00f1a Craven, 1942 – former chief scientist of the US Navy’s Special Projects Office
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gen. James E. Dalton, 1949 – Four-star general, United States Air Force
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernard Friedland, Ph.D., 1948 – Engineer, author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lou Ferrigno, 1969 – Bodybuilder, actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Warren Foster, (1923) – cartoon music composer for Warner Brothers and Hanna-Barbera
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Geoff Fox, 1968 – WTNH meteorologist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carl Gatto, 1955 – Alaska House of Representatives from 2003\u20132012
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernard Gifford, Ph.D., 1961 – Scientist, Apple Computer vice president of education
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 David Groh, 1958 – Actor, television’s Rhoda
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gary Gruber, Ph.D. – 1958 – Author, physicist, testing expert
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Meredith Gourdine, Ph.D., 1948 – Electrogasdynamics pioneer, 1952 Olympic silver medalist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herbert L. Henkel, 1966 – Chairman, president & CEO, Ingersoll-Rand Company
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isaac “Ike” Heller, 1943 – Founder, Remco Toys and Heller Industrial Parks, Philanthropist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tommy Holmes, 1935 – Major League Baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph J. Jacobs, Ph.D., 1934 – Author, engineer, humanitarian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Troy Johnson, 1980 – Founder, AALBC.com
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stuart Kessler, C.P.A., 1947 – Chairman, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants board of directors
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marvin Kitman, 1947 – Author, Newsday television critic
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Donald L. Klein, Ph.D., 1949 – Inventor, silicon gate transistor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph J. Kohn, Ph.D. 1950 – Mathematician
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard LaMotta, 1960 – Founder of Chipwich, ice cream sandwich company
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ivan Lee, 1999 – Internationally ranked saber fencer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MSgt. Meyer S. Levin, 1934 – Decorated Army Air Force hero, World War II
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harvey Lichtenstein, 1947 – executive director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (1967-99)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Turk Lown, Major League Baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William L. Mack, 1957 – Chairman, Mack-Cali Realty; philanthropist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph “Tucker” Madawick, 1937 – President, Industrial Designers Society of America
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jack Maple, 1970 – Criminologist, author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Matheson, 1943 – Author, I am Legend
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Barry Mayo, 1970 – Radio executive
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matthew F. McHugh, (year?) – US Congressman (1975-1993)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Conrad McRae, 1989 – Professional basketball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saverio “Sonny” Morea, 1950 – NASA engineer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ronnie Nunn, 1968 – NBA Director of Officials
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arno Allan Penzias, 1951 – Nobel laureate in physics
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frederick Pohl – Science fiction author (dropped out, received honorary diploma in 2009)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sal Restivo, Ph.D. 1958 – Author, researcher
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leonard Riggio, 1958 – Chairman, Barnes & Noble
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Werner Roth, 1966 – Professional soccer hall-of-famer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Albert Ruddy, 1948 – two-time Academy Award winning producer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steven Sasson, 1968 – Inventor of Digital Camera
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Russ Salzberg, 1969 – WWOR-TV sports anchor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Schwartz, 1953 – Developer of the GPS Satellite
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Irwin Shapiro, 1947 – Astrophysicist and Educator
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steven P. Shearing, M.D. 1952 – Ophthalmologic surgeon, inventor of shearing lens
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Louis H. Siracusano, Sr., 1960 – Video and Broadcast Innovator
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erinn Smart, 1997 – Women’s fencing silver medalist, 2008 Olympics
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keeth Smart, 1996 – First American named #1 male saber fencer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George W. Sutton, 1945 – Author, editor, mechanical engineer who designed ablation head shield material for space re-entry
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul C. Szasz, 1947 – Author, diplomat
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George Wald, Ph.D. 1923 – Biologist, 1967 Nobel Laureate
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charles B. Wang, 1962 – Co-founder, Computer Associates International; principal owner, New York Islanders hockey team
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Anthony Weiner, 1981 – U.S. Congressman
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Josh S. Weston, 1946 – Chairman, Automatic Data Processing, philanthropist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Anton Wilson, 1950 – Author, Playboy editor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lee David Zlotoff, 1970 – Writer, creator of TV series MacGyver
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Laurie C. Zephyrin MD, 1992 – Physician, Public Health Leader, Health Systems Innovator<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erasmus Hall High School (closed in 1994)\"erasmus\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jeff Barry (Joel Adelberg), (1955); songwriter\/producer; Songwriters Hall of Fame member***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Artie Butler, (1960); composer, arranger, producer.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clive Davis; Grammy Award winning record producer; Chairman & CEO BMG North America; founder of Arista Records
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neil Diamond, attended Erasmus as from 1954-1956; singer\/songwriter***
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Will Downing, (1981); singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Larry LeVan, influential disco DJ at the Paradise Garage
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kedar Massenburg, (1981); former CEO\/President of Motown Records
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stephanie Mills, (1977); actress\/singer.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gilbert Price (1960); singer\/actor. Protege of Langston Hughes.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marky Ramone (Marc Steven Bell), drummer of seminal New York punk band The Ramones
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don K. Reed, (1960): disc jockey, hosted “The Doo-Wop Shop” radio show on New York oldies station WCBS-FM
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alan Shulman (attended between 1928\u20131929); composer and cellist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Beverly Sills, (Belle Miriam Silverman) coloratura opera singer, attended Erasmus in the mid-1940s and transferred before graduating.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Special Ed (Edward Archer), rapper who mentions Erasmus Hall on his album Youngest in Charge
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Barbara Stanwyck (Ruby Stevens), (c. 1925); actress
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Barbra Streisand (Barbara Joan Streisand), (1959); actress, singer, director, producer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D. Train, (James Williams) (1980); singer\/songwriter
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mary Anderson, silent film actress
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herbert Aptheker, historian
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bob Arum, boxing promoter
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph R. Barbera, (1928); artist; cartoonist; co-creator of Tom & Jerry cartoons.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karen Bernod, singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John M. Berrien, (1793); Attorney General of the United States and Senator
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sylvan Blier, (1937); World War II veteran, retailer and merchandiser of mid-Atlantic region
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carol Bruce, actress and singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Phillip Brutus, Florida politician
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jeff Chandler (Ira Grossel), (1935); actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Cheshire (1981); artist\/musician
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Al Cohn, tenor saxophonist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Betty Comden, (1933); playwright; Broadway musical songwriter with Adolph Green
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jane Cowl (1902); actress, playwright (original name Grace Bailey)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Billy Cunningham, (1961); player and coach, Philadelphia ’76ers basketball team
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jon Cypher, (1949); actor (Hill Street Blues)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Al Davis; Oakland Raiders owner, Pro Football Hall of Fame member
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elaine de Kooning; painter
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norm Drucker, professional basketball official.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bobby Fischer, dropped out in 1960; chess champion
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jim Florio (1964); former Governor of New Jersey
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jonah Goldman, major league baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Deborah Grabien (c. 1971); novelist\/essayist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Earl G. Graves (1952); publisher of Black Enterprise magazine
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arno Gruen, psychoanalyst, psychologist and writer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Susan Hayward (Edythe Marrenner), Hollywood actress.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eleanor Holm, (1932); Olympic swimmer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moe Howard, (Moses Harry Horwitz), (dropped out after two months, 1915) member of the Three Stooges comedy team
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waite Hoyt; Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Yankees and long-time broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John W. Hunter, (1824); New York State Senator, Congressman, and mayor of Brooklyn
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stanley Edgar Hyman (c. 1933); literary critic; husband of Shirley Jackson
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marty Ingels, comedian; husband of Shirley Jones.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ned Irish; Founder of the New York Knicks, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Roger Kahn, (1945); sportswriter, author of several books including The Boys of Summer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tom Kahn (1956); leader of the civil-rights, social-democratic, and labor movements
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Eric Kandel, (1944); winner of Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology, 2000
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lainie Kazan (Lainie Levine), (1956); Broadway, film and TV actress and singer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorothy Kilgallen, (1932); journalist and TV celebrity.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernie Kopell, (1953); actor, “Doc” on TV series The Love Boat
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harold Kushner (1951); rabbi and author
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Samuel LeFrak, (1936); real estate developer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abby Lippman, Women’s Health Activist and Professor of Epidemiology, McGill University.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sid Luckman, (1935); football champion with the Chicago Bears
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Daniel Mann, attended in 1920s, transferred before graduating; film and television director
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bernard Malamud, (1932); author and educator; Pulitzer Prize for The Fixer, 1967, Magic Barrel, 1958
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Barbara McClintock, (1919); winner of Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, 1983
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aline MacMahon, actress
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don McMahon, major league baseball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 James Meissner (1914); World War I Flying Ace
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Morris Smith Miller, (1794); congressman and First Judge of Oneida County.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don Most, (1970); actor, TV series, Happy Days.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Michael Rapaport, TV actor, attended Erasmus in the 1980s
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lynn Pressman Raymond (c. 1912\u20132009), toy and game innovator who was president of the Pressman Toy Corporation
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jerry Reinsdorf, (1953); owner of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lewis Rolland, MD, (1942); expert on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mike Rosen (1960); Denver radio talk show host
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Rosen (1970); author of the best-selling biography Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alvin Roth (1948); college basketball player
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sam Rutigliano, former NFL head coach
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arthur M. Sackler, MD (1931); art historian and collector; Collection of African and Ancient Art is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brigadier General Guy Sands-Pingot, (1974); U.S. Army Officer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sheldan Segal (c. 1943), contraceptive developer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Silverberg, (1952); novelist
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Melodee M. Spevack (1970); actress, writer, anime voice performer
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mickey Spillane (Morrison Spillane), (1936); author of detective and mystery fiction
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bern Nadette Stanis (Bernadette Stanislaus) (1972); actress
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norma Talmadge, (c. 1911), silent film star
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cheryl Toussaint, (1970); athlete; Olympic gold medalist, 1972.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George M. Troup, (1792); Governor of Georgia
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kenny Vance, musician, who calls out Erasmus Hall in the first line of “Looking for an Echo”
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eli Wallach, (1932); actor
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mae West (Mary Jane West) (1911); actress, comedienne, playwright
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paula Wolfert (1955), award-winning cookbook author and Mediterranean cuisines specialist<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What to make of this remarkable concentration of human talent in four schools that were admittedly large but still not out of line with other urban schools?\u00a0 It highlights, first, the broader gravity on ‘human capital’ that New York City exerted at this time.\u00a0 Yet the years documented by Emerson’s book was hardly an era for creative-class migration as we might associate with the present day. (Recall that New York City’s population actually dropped by more than 100,000 people between 1950 and 1960.) Instead, this is an earlier era of ethnic segmentation and segregation, which highlights a second fact: this list of notable alumni is overwhelmingly “white ethnic” and heavily Jewish, as we might expect given the ethnic and class composition of Brooklyn at this time.\u00a0 With some exceptions, the appearance of African-American and Latin graduates on this list corresponds to native-born Jewish Brooklynites’ ‘graduation’ into the white mainstream \u2014 and into the white flight that changed the demographics of Brooklyn significantly.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, these were politically fraught years of racial and ethnic transition in New York City.\u00a0 The silence of the Brill Building canon on these issues is as telling as the multicultural origins of its sounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the great eras in New York City music comes not from a ‘scene’ of musicians and audiences as we normally think of this term, but from the very mercenary activities associated with the songwriters, publishers, and promoters associated with the city’s Tin Pan Alley.\u00a0 In Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era (Viking, 2005), historian Ken Emerson makes a strong case for the quintessentially New York sound that was composed, arranged, and produced by Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller, Neil Sedaka, Doc Pomus, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Mort Shuman, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Neil Diamond, Howard Greenfield, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and others who plied their trade in nondescript Manhattan office buildings.\u00a0 Some songs they wrote for art’s sake, as the deep cuts on Dusty in Memphis will illustrate, but for the most part these were pop songwriters who, through talent, pluck, and the right connections made the music of American radio pop heaven in the years between Elvis and the Beatles. Emerson gives primary significance to the musical and cultural fusions that New York City’s multiethnic population made possible.\u00a0 Jazz, R&B, doo wop, mambo, blues: these were the sounds that a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":308,"featured_media":1037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43801,43660,43653,43777,43666,43690],"class_list":["post-1033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-ethnicity","tag-music-industry","tag-new-york-city","tag-nostalgia","tag-radio","tag-urban-ethos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1033"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2509,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1033\/revisions\/2509"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}