Jerome Philip Herst (May 28, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois – November 27, 1990, in Alameda, California), known as Jerry Herst,US Copyright Office: listings for Jerry Herst, pseudonym of Jerome P. Herst (b. 1909)California Death Index, 1940-1997; United States Social Security Death Index; and Cook County, Illinois Birth Certificate Index, 1871-1922; hosted at Ancestry.com, retrieved 29 October 2011. was a lawyer and a songwriter best known for his collaborations with Jack Sharpe on a number of compositions, notably "So Rare", a much-recorded song that was published in 1937.

Early life

In 1909, was born in Chicago to Abraham and Dora Schwartz. On December 24, 1947, he married Jeannde Lucille Taylor.“Herst, Jerome P.”, Who’s Who in American Jewry, A Biographical Dictionary of Outstanding Jews. Igal Sieger, editor, Who’s Who in American Jewry, Inc.: New York, New York, 1981, p. 347.

Education

His early education was in Townsend Hall in New York, followed by Western Military, in Alton Illinois. He attended college at Northwestern University and University of California, Berkeley. In 1934, he received his JD from University of California, Hastings College of Law, San Francisco.“Herst, Jerome P.”, Who’s Who in American Jewry, A Biographical Dictionary of Outstanding Jews. Igal Sieger, editor, Who’s Who in American Jewry, Inc.: New York, New York, 1981, p. 347. He studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris, and later studied composition privately with Joseph Schillinger, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Alexandre Tansman.“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.

Career

Music While in college and law school he performed as a radio and night club performer.“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.

A version of his co-composition "So Rare" released by Jimmy DorseyThe label on the original Fraternity 45rpm record F-755 shows "JIMMY DORSEY" prominently, followed by small print "with Orchestra and Chorus" in 1957 was a #2 hit in the United States,Whitburn, Joel (1983) The Billboard Book of US Top 40 Hits, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc, page 94 but it has been recorded by numerous artists including Carl Ravell and his Orchestra (1937), Gus Arnheim and his Coconut Grove Orchestra (1937), Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (1937), Andy Williams (1959), Ella Fitzgerald (1960) and Ray Conniff (1965).Online Discographical Project discographies for 78 rpm record labels, listings of "So Rare" since 1937; Carl Ravell's version is the earliest session listed there and may be the first release of "So Rare".All Music Guide: recordings of "So Rare"

Herst has five compositions listed at the performing rights organisation ASCAP, four of which are collaborations with Jack Sharpe.American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers database: Works written by Jerry Herst, IPI No. 14006640 "So Rare", "World Stands Still" and "What Did You Do It For" are by Herst and Sharpe. "We'll Get A Bang Out Of Life" was written by Herst and Sharpe with the bandleader Anson Weeks and was recorded by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra (1938).Online Discographies Project: Brunswick label discographydbopm: Database of Popular Music: "We'll Get a Bang Out Of Life" A number of other compositions by Jerry Herst – including further collaborations with Jack Sharpe – are listed at the US Copyright Office.US Copyright Office: listings for Jerry Herst, pseudonym of Jerome P. Herst (b. 1909)

In addition to Jack Sharpe, he collaborated with such names as Al Jacobs, Felton Kaufmann, and Richard O’Kreamer.“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.

Legal

Practiced law from 1935 to 1942. He served as a referee and hearing officer for the State of California Office of Administrative Procedure from 1947 to 1975.“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226. Served as an administrative law judge for the State of California until his retirement in 1975“Herst, Jerome P.”, Who’s Who in American Jewry, A Biographical Dictionary of Outstanding Jews. Igal Sieger, editor, Who’s Who in American Jewry, Inc.: New York, New York, 1981, p. 347.

Military Was on active duty in the USNR, World War II.“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226. Served in the United States Naval Reserves as Judge Advocate General Court Martial, 12 Naval District (1942–1946), Senior Judge Advocate until his retirement.“Herst, Jerome P.”, Who’s Who in American Jewry, A Biographical Dictionary of Outstanding Jews. Igal Sieger, editor, Who’s Who in American Jewry, Inc.: New York, New York, 1981, p. 347.

Compositions Songs So Rare (with Jack Sharpe) The Call of Tarzan The Darling of the Campus As Long As I Still Have You – 1931 (with Al Jacobs)Stanley, Don, “So Rare: The 20 Year Cycle of a Hit Song,” Sunday Pictorial Review, San Francisco Examiner, June 2, 1957, p. 18. We’ll Get a Bang Out of Life – 1938 (with Jack Sharpe)Stanley, Don, “So Rare: The 20 Year Cycle of a Hit Song,” Sunday Pictorial Review, San Francisco Examiner, June 2, 1957, p. 18. Shower of Kisses Meand’rin“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226. Mud in Your Eye (with Felton Kauffman)Stanley, Don, “So Rare: The 20 Year cycle of a Hit Song,” Sunday Pictorial Review, San Francisco Examiner, June 2, 1957, p. 18.

Instrumental works A Child’s Garden (suite for symphonic orchestra) The Golden Spike (overture)“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.

Miscellaneous – numerous ballets and wind quintet“Herst, Jerome P.”, Who’s Who in American Jewry, A Biographical Dictionary of Outstanding Jews. Igal Sieger, editor, Who’s Who in American Jewry, Inc.: New York, New York, 1981, p. 347.

Musicals The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer The Legend of Bret Harte Ozma of Oz“Herst, Jerome P.”, ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Jaques Cattell Press/R.R. Bowker Co: New York, 1980, p. 226.

Notes and references

External links Lead sheet for "So Rare" at Wikifonia Internet Movie Database