Joseph A. Burke

Biography

A versatile architect of the Great American Songbook, Joseph A. Burke was a gifted pianist, composer, and actor whose career spanned from the publishing houses of New York to the soundstages of Hollywood. Following his education at the University of Pennsylvania, Burke established himself in the Manhattan music scene before heading west in 1929 to join the burgeoning film industry. A long-standing member of ASCAP since 1920, he frequently harmonized his talents with esteemed lyricists such as Al Dubin, Edgar Leslie, Benny Davis, Mark Fisher, Marty Simes, and Charles Tobias. Burke’s legacy is etched into history through timeless standards like 'Tip Toe Through the Tulips,' 'Moon Over Miami,' and 'Rambling Rose.' His prolific output captured the many moods of his era, ranging from the heartbreak of 'Dancing With Tears in My Eyes' and 'Oh How I Miss You Tonight' to the optimistic glow of 'Painting the Clouds With Sunshine' and 'Getting Some Fun Out of Life.' His repertoire boasts an impressive list of hits, including 'For You,' 'Carolina Moon,' 'Yearning,' 'A Little Bit Independent,' 'On Treasure Island,' and 'In a Little Gypsy Tearoom.' Whether composing the 'Villanova Alma Mater,' the spirited 'We Must Be Vigilant' ('American Patrol'), or evocative pieces like 'In the Valley of the Moon,' 'It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane,' and 'At a Perfume Counter,' Burke’s melodic touch was unmistakable. His vast catalog also features 'Who Wouldn't Love You,' 'By the River of the Roses,' 'The Kiss Waltz,' 'She Was Just a Sailor's Sweetheart,' 'Robins and Roses,' 'Cling to Me,' and 'Midnight Blue.'