Biography

Alto saxophone player and younger brother of Les Elgart,.

He co-wrote the theme music for "American Bandstand" (Barry Manilow wrote the lyrics years later). His biggest hit album came out in 1982, a disco medley of 1940s standards called "Hooked on Swing".

He traveled with bands starting at age 15 to help support his family during the Depression. He played alto sax in orchestras led by Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and Red Norvo, among others.

His 1959 album, "New Sounds At the Roosevelt," was nominated that year for a Grammy Award.

In 1953, Larry met Charles Albertine and recorded two of his experimental compositions, "Impressions of Outer Space" and "Music for Barefoot Ballerinas". Released on 10" vinyl, these recordings became collectors' items for fans of avant-garde jazz, but they were not commercially successful. Larry and Albertine put together a more traditional ensemble and began recording them using precise microphone placements, producing what came to be known as the "Elgart Sound".