Hal Dickinson

Harold Dickinson, December 12, 1913 in Buffalo, New York, USA - November 18, 1970

Hal was the founder and leader of the jazz harmony group, The Modernaires. The group was initially a trio formed in 1935 with high school buddies. Eventually, the trio grew into a quartet consisting of Dickinson, Fran Scott, John Drake and Alan Copeland. Their radio/recording peak was hit after orchestra leader Glenn Miller signed them on. In 1941, Hal's wife, singer Paula Kelly, rounded out the now-quintet and they became as popular as ever, making the rounds on TV variety in the 50s with Bob Crosby, George Gobel and Perry Como, among many others. They continued to perform in clubs and concerts after their heyday. Copeland dropped out in 1956 and was replaced by Dick Cathcart. Some of their best-known recordings include "April in Paris", "Goody Goody", "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree".
Had three daughters who were singing sisters on TV and stage in the early 1950s ("The Kelly Sisters Trio") and later were The Modernaires replacements: Paula Kelly Jr., Martha Dickinson (Martz) and Julie Dickinson. Martha, who also sang with the Ed Winters jazz trio, died of congestive heart failure in 2006 at the age of 65. Julie does studio work.

Discography: