Henry "Hank" Sylvern (born Henry Silverstein, March 26, 1908 – July 4, 1964) was an American keyboardist, composer, conductor and arranger.

Early life and career Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Sylvern was the eldest of three children born to Herman Silverstein and Mary Sheflin.Sullivan, Ed (October 23, 1956). "Little Old New York". The Washington Star. p. A-17. Retrieved March 14, 2023."New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WZK-LSG : 11 February 2018), Henry Silverstein, 26 Mar 1908; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference 11782 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,993,077."United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4VY-YZW : accessed 14 March 2023), Henry Silverstein in household of Herman Silverstein, Brooklyn (Districts 0251-0500), Kings, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 486, sheet 10A, line 17, family 171, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1540; FHL microfilm 2,341,275. He began his music studies at the Paris Conservatory and later attended New York University."Musicians Match Wits on Mutual Quiz". Musical America. April 25, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved March 14, 2023.

Silvern's first nationwide exposure came via his 1941 collaboration with lyricist Ruth Poll, "I'm a Military Man Now," which, at Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau's request, was unveiled on the premiere broadcast of a revamped version of the U.S. Treasury's wartime radio series, The Treasury Hour—Millions for Defense."News and Views of Radio: New Program". The Sacramento Bee. September 30, 1941. p. 18."From the Production Centres: New York". Variety. October 1, 1941. p. 47.Associated Press (June 26, 1941). "Talent Lined Up for Stamp, Bond Program". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 18.

Subsequently, Sylvern worked on many radio and television shows, some of which are listed below: Nick Carter, Master Detective, radio series, 1943Buxton, Frank; Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast, 1920 - 1950. New York: The Viking Press. pp. 21, 223. Arthur Godfrey Time, 1945, radio series, 1945 Suspense, 1949, TV series; musical director"Short Scannings: Brief but Important Video News; By Way of Personal Mention". The Billboard. April 21, 1951. p. 10. Retrieved March 14, 2023. Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, 1950, TV series; theme song composerTerrace, Vincent (2014). Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949. New York: The Scarecrow Press. p. 166. . USA Canteen (aka The Jane Froman Show), 1952, TV series; orchestra leader and musical directorHerman, Pinky (April 20, 1954). "Television--Radio". Motion Picture Daily. p. 6. Retrieved March 14, 2023. The Phil Silvers Show (aka Sergeant Bilko, "You'll Never Get Rich"), 1955, TV seriesFreeman, Mickey; Rubinstein, Sholom (2002). Bilko : Behind the Lines With Phil Silvers. Waterville, ME: Thorndike Press. p.  146. . Dotto, 1958, TV seriesSchwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1995). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. 2nd ed. New York: Facts on File. pp. 50, 119. . Make a Face 1961, TV series

He was also an organist who played music for innumerable radio shows and also wrote the following radio show theme songs:

Mark Trail,Plotnik, Gene (September 22, 1951). "Television—Radio Reviews: Mark Trail". The Billboard. p. 8. Retrieved March 14, 2023. The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,Library of Congress (December 1954). "1946-1954 Copyright Registration Cards (A-N)". United States Copyright Office. Space Academy,"Various – Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits Vol. 4 - Defenders Of Justice". Discogs. Strike It RichMusil, Art; Traum, Thea (May 1948). "I Struck It Rich". Radio and Television Mirror. pp.26–27, 77–78, 80. Retrieved March 14, 2023.

Sylvern recorded a Christmas album named Christmas in Hi-Fi (Organ, Bells, Chimes).Spinner, The (December 1957). "The Latest Pop Discs: Special Christmas Long Plays". Music World. p. 38. Retrieved March 14, 2023. He also wrote the music for an MGM children's story-telling LP record (CH-103), The Wonderful World of Fairy Tales. He played the organ while Robert Q. Lewis told The Ugly Duckling, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Sleeping Beauty, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and The Wizard of Oz stories.Jones, William B. (2011). Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History. Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Co. p. 212. .

Between 1945 and 1949, Sylvern worked alongside his second wife, Jeanne Harrison—she as director, he as musical director—on a number of radio programs,Mike. (February 20, 1946). "Transcription Reviews: 'Calling All Girls'". Variety. p. 36. March 15,"Transcription Reviews: 'Barry Wood Show'". Variety. February 27, 1946. p. 46. Retrieved March 14, 2023.Mike. (June 26, 1946). "Transcription Reviews: 'Philo Vance'". Variety. p. 42. Retrieved March 14, 2023. most notably Adventures of Boston Blackie.Sten. (April 18, 1945). "Radio Reviews: Adventures of Boston Blackie". Variety. p. 28. Retrieved March 14, 2023.Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984 : A Catalog of Over 1800 Shows. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 49. . In addition they recorded two records for children."From the Production Centres: In New York". Variety. June 8, 1949. p. 38. Retrieved March 14, 2023.

In June 1950, Sylvern was named "outstanding musical director of radio and TV for 1949-50" by Song Hits Magazine."Production". Broadcasting Telecasting. June 5, 1950. p. 70. Retrieved March 14, 2023. In 1956, he was elected to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation."Who's Where". Motion Picture Daily. May 28, 1956. p. 9. Retrieved March 14, 2023.

Personal life and death Sylvern was married at least twice: first—from January 7, 1934 until her death on January 12, 1942—to Pearl Flexer,"New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24DL-WLT : 21 August 2022), Henry Silverstein and Pearl Flexer, 1934."New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WRP-KLB : 13 May 2022), Pearl Silverstein, 1942. with whom he had a daughter, Bryna,Bower, Roger; Lehr, Lew; Tinney, Cal (1948). Stop Me If You've Heard This One. and then—from February 2, 1946 until their divorce, circa spring 1952"Marriages: Sylvern-Harrison". The Billboard. February 16, 1946. p. 87. Retrieved March 14, 2023."Marriages". Variety. February 6, 1946. p. 62. Retrieved February 14, 2023.Lait, Jack (April 30, 1952). "In New York; Man About Town". The Daily Record. p. 2. Retrieved March 14, 2023.Walker, Danton (May 20, 1953). "Broadway: Broadway Beat". New York Daily News. p. 64. Retrieved March 15, 2023.—to radio and TV producer-director, Jeanne—aka "Jean"—Harrison.Lait, Jack (August 2, 1946). "Broadway and Elsewhere; Seen Together". The Waterbury Democrat. p. 4. Retrieved March 13, 2023.Schwarz, Dan (June 1948). "Watts With Marriage? Famous radio couples prove that career and marriage do mix!". Swing. pp. 75–76, 83. Retrieved March 14, 2023.Seaman, Barbara (1996). Lovely Me : The Story of Jacqueline Susann. New York: Seven Stories Press. p. 222. .

On July 4, 1964, Sylvern died of undisclosed causes at his home in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan.

References

Further reading "Picked Squad of Times' Winners". Times Union. April 20, 1928. p. 55. "Wet Feet Gave Boro Musician Key to Success". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 2, 1946. p. 8a. Kerner, Fred (June 18, 1949). "Jean Harrison: One of Radio's Top Directors Is Housewife and Mother Too". The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 18. "For TV Thrillers". Etude. March 1950. p. 52.

External links Hank Sylvern at IMDb Hank Sylvern at Discogs