Turner Layton

by Joslyn LayneEarly American vaudeville and show tunes pianist/composer Turner Layton is best-known for his work with lyricist Henry Creamer. Their most famous songs include "After You've Gone" (1918), "Dear Old Southland" (1921), and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (1922). The duo performed vaudeville across the U.S. and in Europe, and Layton cut many recordings for Columbia's England branch, including performances of "These Foolish Things," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," This Heart of Mine," and "Ol' Man River." Other songs composed by Layton include "Easy Goin' Man," "Whoa, Tillie," and "Down By the River." Some of the minor Broadway shows he composed for include Three Showers (1920) and Strut Miss Lizzie (1922).