FYI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Presents
POPULAR MUSIC COMPANY
Founded by
Mort Bronstein
in the early 1900s
Catalogue
FOCUS ON MR. MORTON BROWNE, MUSIC PUBLISHER


When not in New York, Mr. Mort Browne resided in Hollywood, Florida, and no matter where the next gig was, or an event of the Blues Society, he was there to support the functions and friends. That's what real dedication is all about.

Mort started his career at 15, in New York, with a prominent music publisher and, within a year, was promoting their publications. When the president of the company died, he took over her company and ran it until he formed his own publishing company and called it POPULAR MUSIC CO. He was only 18 at the time, and the company is still flourishing, today! Mort started in a one-room office in New York, bought an old piano, some sheet music and taught himself how to play and write music.

His first publications were his original ballads and those of fellow musicians. But stiff competition soon made Mort realize he would have to take a different route. So, he decided to publish the music of African Americans that was known as "race music", which the larger companies were reluctant to publish. He was a frequent visitor to the many "house rent" parties in Harlem and there listened to R&B, Blues and Jazz numbers which were written by black artists. Mr. Browne published these numbers on lead sheets, then brought them to the attention of white orchestra leaders.

Mort recalls meeting Glen Miller, who wasn't doing too well at the time. He introduced Miller to a number called "IN THE MOOD" written by Joe Garland. Miller recorded it  and made it a big hit. 

Other tunes that Mort's company represented were "TUXEDO JUNCTION" recorded by Erskine Hawkins, "JERSEY BOUNCE" by Bobby Plater, "TOPSY" by Eddie Durham and Edgar Battle and recorded by many musicians including Cozy Cole, "DOGGIN' AROUND" by Edgar Battle and Hersphel Evans, and the great jazz tune, "AFTER HOURS" by Avery Parrish. Mort introduced these and other tunes to big name bandleaders like Benny Goodman and Count Basie, (more on Basie).

Morton Browne has been responsible for many musicians being recorded and he was always open to reviewing new material for possible publication. From all of us, a very heartfelt "Thank you Mr. Morton Browne!"

Morty's CATALOGUE

Click song for history.


Mort and Andy

Buddy Feyne
Buddy Feyne

 

Contact:
FYI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
fyicomminc@aol.com
954-740-3398
MORT'S HISTORY

  • Morton Browne was a Russian Jew. His brother, Mack and he changed their name from Bronstein.

  • Mort's first job, at 15, was at the Brill Building, 1619 Broadway. He sold sheet music on the road for Betty Stasny.

  • Mort inherited Louis Publishing from Jappy Judd upon her death.

  • Mort had a band and Rudy Vallee was his drummer.

  • Mort "discovered" Aretha Franklin.

  • Mort used the name Robert Bruce to publish his own songs to avoid making writers jealous of his success with his tunes Tuxedo Junction and In The Mood.

  • Mort co-wrote Early Hours, Charleston Alley, Good Things, High Class Stuff, I'm Concentratin', It's Written All Over Your Face, Just Right Tonight, Rock Rock Rhythm, Reverse The Charges, So Tired, Uncle Bud, Victory Bells, What's Your Hurry and Your Fool Again.

  • Mort's song, Tuxedo Junction, put the Glen Miller Bank on the charts. Erskin Hawkins also recorded this song, making it even more popular. Benny Goodman and Count Basie also recorded his tunes.

  • Mort was one of the first publishers to publish the music of black musicians called "Race Music".


Artist Representative
FYI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 fyicomminc   |  Contact Webdiva
Updated: 09/30/10