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Harry Akst was one of the quintessential Tin Pan Alley composers, churning out dozens of hits during the 1920s, including classics of the form like "Am I Blue?," "Baby Face," "Dinah," "First, Last and Always," "Stella," and "Travelin' Light." Born in New York City in 1894, Akst joined <a href="spotify:artist:32zXZpxwb2bq7oGzAhe1Ii">Irving Berlin</a>'s publishing company in 1919 as a staff pianist and -- with <a href="spotify:artist:32zXZpxwb2bq7oGzAhe1Ii">Berlin</a>'s lyrical help -- composed his first hit, "Home Again Blues," two years later. (It was <a href="spotify:artist:32zXZpxwb2bq7oGzAhe1Ii">Berlin</a>'s last collaborative composition.) In 1925, Akst wrote the tune for "Dinah," and after lyrics were added by <a href="spotify:artist:1bHYBM8vK4M1znRYvaXxDs">Sam M. Lewis</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7Bcf208i2hijdzFr1q54VJ">Joe Young</a>, the song became a treasured standard performed by <a href="spotify:artist:3INcDDCxVKMIQT6rfR7kud">Ethel Waters</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2pDFdLHKOmzKiNDzkz7p8L">Eddie Cantor</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6ZjFtWeHP9XN7FeKSUe80S">Bing Crosby</a>, and many others. Another all-time classic, "Baby Face," followed one year later (with lyrics by Benny Davis). <a href="spotify:artist:3INcDDCxVKMIQT6rfR7kud">Waters</a> also earned a big hit with Akst's 1929 composition "Am I Blue?," with lyrics by Grant Clarke. His last major song, "Travelin' Light," appeared in 1937, with lyrics by <a href="spotify:artist:2lrCkte77xkv4L24lQQDUI">Sidney Claire</a>. Harry Akst died in 1963. ~ John Bush, Rovi
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