Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 552-554. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
Born in Ohio and raised largely in an orphanage and with various relatives, saxophonist and band leader Freddy Martin first gained national attention in 1940 and continued on through the 1970s leading one of the most popular "sweet" (non-swing) bands of the Big Band Era. Best known for his hit songs adapted from classical themes, his many hits on RCA Victor and Capitol records included "Cumana," "The Hut-Sut Song," "Bumble Boogie," adapted from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee," and his theme song, "Tonight We Love," adapted from the first movement of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6532 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.