You guys might have already heard about this but I just learned today that the great arranger Gene Puerling died on March 25th.
If you are a vocalist, you have undoubtedly heard of the impeccable group The Hi-Los or The Singers Unlimited.
Gene Puerling was instrumental (no pun intended) in getting these groups together and broke new ground in vocal arranging, taking harmony to the limit of what vocal groups could do.
Gene recorded thirteen albums with the Hi-Lo’s between the years of 1953-1964, Gene revealed the talent and promise that would later be fully realized with his work as director, arranger and performer with the Singers UnLimited.
He was born in Wisconsin in 1929. Though his family was musically inclined (various members of the family played violin, piano and clarinet) Gene himself had no formal musical training! He was a working professional musician from the age of seventeen, and simply did not have the time to devote to a formal musical education. I guess that means he learned ON the gig, not for the gig.
The Hi-Lo’s, who recorded their first record in 1953 when Gene was 24, garnered accolades for popular renditions of classic jazz tunes such as “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” and “Skylark.” Gene was developing the trademark style with which he would become so uniquely identified.
In 1967, the singers unlimited were born, featuring a who’s who of jingle singers from the Chicago area, including Bonnie Herman and Don Shelton. This is the group that I heard before hearing the Hi-Lo’s.
Gene ended up in Chicago doing jingles and probably making a fortune, but the Singers Unlimited continued to record during the 70’s and 80’s.
I was hoping to find some video of the Singers Unlimited, but nothing was available on YouTube. The following video ain’t too shabby though, featuring Frank Sinatra and the Hi-Lo’s in their prime. Notice the inner harmonies and how they move along with the melody, similar to a saxophone section. This is tame compared to what the Singers Unlimited were doing 20 years later, but you’ll see how damn good these guys were.
Rest in peace Mr. Puerling, the world certainly was made a better place with your music!
Compact Jazz: Singers Unlimited
