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American poet, composer and lyricist (1895–1973 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Andy Razaf (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; December 16, 1895 – February 3, 1973)[1] was an American poet, composer, and lyricist of such well-known songs as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose".
Andy Razaf | |
|---|---|
 Razaf in 1954 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo |
| Born | December 16, 1895 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 1973 (aged 77) North Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, composer, and lyricist |
Razaf was born in 1895 in Washington, D.C., United States.[1] His birth name was Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo. He was the son of Henri Razafinkarefo, nephew of Queen Ranavalona III of the Imerina kingdom in Madagascar, and Jennie Razafinkarefo (née Waller), daughter of John L. Waller, the first African American consul to Imerina.[2] The French invasion of Madagascar (1894-95) left Henri dead, and forced pregnant 15-year-old Jennie to escape to the U.S..[3] Razaf was raised in Harlem, Manhattan.
At age 16, Razaf quit school and took a job as an elevator operator in a Tin Pan Alley office building. A year later he penned his first song text, embarking on his career as a lyricist. During this time he spent many nights in the Greyhound Lines bus station in Times Square, and picked up his mail at the Gaiety Theatre office building, which was considered the black Tin Pan Alley.[4]
Some of Razaf's early poems were published in 1917–18 in the Hubert Harrison-edited Voice, the first newspaper of the "New Negro Movement". Razaf collaborated with composers Eubie Blake, Don Redman, James P. Johnson, Harry Brooks, and Fats Waller.[1] Among the best-known Razaf-Waller collaborations are "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Honeysuckle Rose", "The Joint Is Jumpin'", "Willow Tree", "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" and "(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue".[1] His music was played by other Tin Pan Alley musicians, as well as Benny Goodman, Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway and many others. He was a contributor and editor of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League's Negro World newspaper.[2]
Razaf wrote a number of raunchy "character" blues-type songs for many 1920s female blues singers. He also made a number of records as a vocalist (both as solo and as vocalist for jazz groups, including a handful by James P. Johnson and Fletcher Henderson).
He was married to Jean Blackwell Hutson from 1939 to 1947.[5]
In 1972, Razaf was recognized by his Tin Pan Alley peers when he was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[6]
Razaf died in North Hollywood, California in February 1973 from renal failure, aged 77.[2]
The Songwriters Hall of Fame entry for Andy Razaf lists 215 compositions, giving co-writers and publishers.[6] He had many unpublished songs; Singer's biography lists more than 800, published and unpublished (but without giving lyrics). Some notable lyrics include:
Although Razaf's songs are found on hundreds of recordings, there are only two albums devoted exclusively to his compositions:
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