Moonglow Templeton Alec 1958 Alex Templeton gives his interpretation of Moonglow during one of the Art Ford Jazz shows recorded in 1958. Alec Templeton Composer / Pianist Visual impairment : Blind since birth Alec Templeton (1909- 1963) was born in Cardiff, Wales (UK) and was blessed with absolute pitch. He began his musical studies at an early age in his hometown and later studied at the London Academy of Music. At 18, he composed "Trio for flute, oboe and piano" for which he was complimented by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Jack Hylton, British bandleader, brought Alec Templeton to the United States when Hylton was to broadcast a series of radio programs for the Standard Oil Company. He soon established himself as an incomparable and sincere artist. In addition to his imaginative modernizing of the classical masters Alec Templeton composed serious works for the piano, orchestra, string quartet, and voice. In his words, "Good music need not be ponderous to be good. It can be everything from Bach to jazz." His style is close to the idiom of British folksongs. Some music lovers know the name Alec Templeton as the composer of 'Bach Goes To Town'. And if their knowledge goes a bit further they also may recall 'Mozart Matriculates and even 'Scarlatti Stoops to Conga'. Templeton was known as the radio and TV celebrity who in the nineteen forties and fifties regularly appeared on shows hosted by Bing Crosby, and who later had his own show called 'It's Alec Templeton Time'.
