Martin, Tony

Tony Martin Singer and actor popular from the 1930s to the 1950s Alvin Morris, Oakland, California, December 25, 1912). Despite his Anglicized stage name, Martin was born to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. He began playing saxophone as a teenager, and soon formed his own band to play in the San Francisco area. He graduated to singing with various local bands, including a group led by Tom Guran that featured a young Woody Herman. Herman and Martin traveled together to play at the 1933 Chicago…