Alvino Rey (July 1, 1908 – February 24, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist and bandleader of the Alvino Rey Orchestra.
His professional career began in 1927 when he got a job playing banjo with Cleveland bandleader Ev Jones. During the following year, he became a member of the Phil Spitalny Orchestra. He switched from banjo to guitar, then changed his name to Alvino Rey to take advantage of the popularity of Latin music in New York City at the time.
From 1932–1938 he was a member of Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights. He drew attention to himself and the band when he started playing pedal steel guitar. The Gibson corporation asked him to develop a pickup for the guitar. In 1937, he married Louise King of the King Sisters.
In 1939, he formed his own band with the King Sisters and moved to Hollywood, where he became musical director at KHJ Mutual Broadcasting radio network. As leader of the house band, he recorded a version of "Deep in the Heart of Texas" that was a hit in 1942.
Listen to the Alvino Rey Orchestra on Swing City Radio. We are a Big Band Radio Station playing a wide selection of Big Band and Swing music.
Swing City Radio plays the Alvino Rey Orchestra - Listen to our station and hear the songs:
Cement Mixer (Put-ti Put-ti)
Idaho
I’m Glad There Is You (In This World of Ordinary People)
Tiger Rag
If It’s True
I Said No
Dearly Beloved
Strip Polka
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Nighty Night
