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Laurel Kenneth Sargent (March 3, 1906 – December 20, 1969) was an American big band vocalist and saxophonist, primarily known for his work with the Casa Loma Orchestra in the 1930s and 40s.

Born in Centralia, Illinois, Sargent was hired by Glen Gray of the Casa Loma Orchestra in the spring of 1931. He was the Casa Loma Orchestra's primary vocalist and a saxophonist in the late 1930s and early 40s. He had a smooth, high baritone singing voice. He recorded many popular ballads, including "It's the Talk of the Town", which was high on the national charts. Other popular songs he recorded are "Blue Moon", "City Called Heaven", "When I Grow Too Old to Dream". He performed the vocals in the first recording of the standard "You Go to My Head".

Sargent left the band in 1943 to begin a career as a disc jockey, first at WHHM in Memphis, Tennessee. He later was a well-known radio personality in Dallas, Texas at radio stations KLIF (AM) and WRR in the 1950s and 1960s.

He died in Dallas in 1969, aged 63.

References

1. ^ "Casa Loma Orchestra", Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Retrieved 15 August 2021
2. "Harry Sargent | Oral Histories". NAMM.org. National Association of Music Merchants. 1995-03-22. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
3. Simon, George T. (2012). The big bands (4th ed.). New York: Schirmer Books. ISBN 978-0028724201. OCLC 7738576.
4. ^ Tyler, Don. (2007). Hit songs, 1900-1955 : American popular music of the pre-rock era. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. ISBN 9780786429462. OCLC 76961274.
5. "(WHHM ad)" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 17, 1948. Retrieved 10 December 2014.

External links

• L Kenneth “Kenny” Sargent at Find a Grave
• Harry Sargent Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection
• Kenny Sargent recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

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• 1906 births
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• American male saxophonists
• American radio DJs
• 20th-century American singers
• 20th-century American saxophonists
• 20th-century American male singers
• Casa Loma Orchestra members
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