Charlie Spivak, born Sender Spivakovsky, was born on 17 February 1905 in Trilisy, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire, before emigrating in 1910 and settling in New Haven, Connecticut. He learned the trumpet and played with Johnny Cavallaro’s orchestra before joining Paul Specht and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. In November 1939, with Glenn Miller's support, Spivak formed his own band, which gained popularity with recordings such as "This Is No Laughing Matter" (1941) and "I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen" (1942). The orchestra issued albums including Porgy and Bess (1945), Kreisler Favorites (1947), and The Country Club Dance (1958). After the band split, Spivak led ensembles in Florida, Las Vegas, and South Carolina until his death in Greenville on 1 March 1982.
