Van Heusen, Jimmy

Jimmy Van Heusen Composer Edward Chester Babcock, Syracuse, New York, January 26, 1913; Rancho Mirage, California, February 7, 1990. Van Heusen was a popular composer of the 1940s and 1950s who worked primarily with lyricists Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. While still in high school, Van Heusen had a radio program on a local station which featured his songs. It was then that he changed his name, taking his surname from the famous shirt manufacturer. He spent four years as a staff pianist in Tin…