12 Facts About Al Goodman

Alfred Goodman was a conductor, songwriter, stage composer, musical director, arranger, and pianist.

Al Goodman's father, Tobias Goodman, was a cantor in a synagogue in Odessa.

Al Goodman sang in a choir when he was 5 years old and had become fluent in reading music by age 6.

Al Goodman graduated from Baltimore City College and the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

Al Goodman earned money by playing piano for films at the Pickwick Theatre in Baltimore.

Al Goodman worked as a musician in a nickelodeon and chorus boy in one of the Milton Aborn's operettas.

Al Goodman moved to Los Angeles, where he began conducting in addition to composing and arranging.

Al Goodman was first introduced to musical comedy by the late Earl Carroll, who persuaded him to collaborate in producing his musical, So Long Letty.

Al Goodman debuted as a musical director on Broadway with Canary Cottage, and his final Broadway production was Hold on to Your Hats.

Al Goodman was in such demand that it was not uncommon for him to conduct the orchestra of a show for the first few performances, and then hand the baton over to another while he prepared for a new production.

On television, Al Goodman worked on Colgate Comedy Hour, The Donald O'Connor Show, Fireball Fun for All, and Sound Off Time.

Al Goodman worked on several musicals such as The Band Wagon, Good News and Ziegfeld Follies.