Vernon Duke

Classically trained composer Vladamir Dukelsky studied his craft extensively, mainly at Kiev and Odessa. In the early-1920s, he began experimenting with songs written in the style of Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. In 1921, he emigrated to the United States where, over the next three decades, he used his birth name for his classical compositions and the name Vernon Duke for his popular songs. His first success came with "I Am Only Human After All," with lyrics by E. ‘Yip’ Harburg and Ira Gershwin, featured in the 1930 film THE GARRICK GAIETIES. His film work also yielded the enduring standards "April in Paris" and "Autumn in New York."