Sydney John Kay

Australian composer & conductor (b. Leipzig, Germany 1906 or 1908 [some sources say c.1904] - d. England 1969 Born in Germany to a German-Jewish mother and Peruvian father. A member of The Weintraubs, and appeared in the classic film 'The Blue Angel" with that group. Toured with them to Australia in 1937 where they played at Prince's Restaurant. Interned briefly in 1939, but was working was the Colgate Palmolive Unit by 1942 and by July 1948 had been made chief arranger. Wrote music scores for documentaries and feature films such as "Bush Christmas" and "Back of Beyond". Director of the Mercury Theatre 1946-1949 & 1952-1953. Became a naturalised Australian in 1949. Went to London in 1954.