Lenny Schwartz

Lenny Schwartz, 88, of Palm Desert, CA, born in Brooklyn, NY in 1919, passed away on March 19, 2008. He graduated High School in 1936 and started playing professionally immediately after graduation with various harmonica groups. He went on Major Bowes Amateur Hour with an act called "The Harmonica Kings" and went on tour for several months, playing theatres in Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, IN and Columbus, OH and many other cities. He went on Major Bowes again and was contracted by NBC Radio in San Francisco for 13 weeks and stayed for a year, doing 15 minute broadcasts three times a week. He also made guest appearances on major network shows. After that the act went on tour for two years, playing all over the country, until the threat of war stopped them. He was drafted into the service in 1941 for four and a half years; played in the Army Band on trumpet, then transferred into the Air Corp and became a bombardier and navigator. He flew 55 combat missions in Italy and southern France. When the war was over, he did an act with his late wife, Louise, who passed away after 27 years of marriage. While in New York, they lived on Long Island, raising a family. They went into the deli business, but kept getting booked for recording sessions and television, such as Mitch Miller recordings and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He moved to Los Angeles in 1967, took a job with Juniors Deli and became general manager but still played his harmonica at different events. He retired and bought a home in Sun City Palm Desert and started his musical career all over again. He played at The McCallum Theatre in two productions, "Shenandoa" and "Big River"; also performed at elementary schools for third and fourth graders, teaching them the value of good music in their lives. He also performed with his wife, Shirley, at different functions. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Ronni Mendes, Judy Johnson and Paula Schwartz; son Alan Kaufman; grandson Matthew Johnson; granddaughter Rebecca (husband Wesley) Simon, and great grandson Donovan Simon. Services were private.