Leonid Utesov

Lore & Background

Leonid Utesov was brought up in Odessa, Russian Empire, and attended the Faig School of Commerce, from which he dropped out to join the Borodanov Circus troupe as an acrobat. He began his stage career in 1911 in Kremenchuk, then returned to Odessa, changed his artistic name to Leonid Utesov, and performed as a stand-up comedian with the Rosanov troupe and the Rishelyavsky Theatre. In 1917, he won a singing competition in Gomel, Belarus, then performed in Moscow. In the 1920s, he moved to Leningrad and set up one of the first Soviet jazz bands, collaborating with composer Isaak Dunayevsky. Utesov built a band of the finest musicians in Leningrad and created a style blending Russian folk songs with international genres. In 1928, he toured Europe and attended performances of American jazz bands in Paris, which influenced his own style. During the 1930s, his band "Thea-Jazz" had a regular gig at the Marble Hall of the Kirov Palace of Culture in Leningrad and performed at other venues. His popularity rose when he co-starred with Lyubov Orlova in the comedy Jolly Fellows, performing hits like "Serdtse" (Heart). During World War II, Utesov performed on the front lines, donated two La-5 planes to the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, and presented a squadron with forty-two of his vinyl records. On Victory Day (9 May 1945), he performed on Sverdlov Square in Moscow. Utesov lived in Moscow for the rest of his life, alluding to Odessa in many songs; a monument to him was dedicated there in 2000.

Reader's Guide

Leonid Utesov is significant as a pioneering figure in Soviet popular music and entertainment. He was one of the first to introduce jazz to Soviet audiences, blending it with stand-up comedy and diverse musical styles. His collaboration with composer Isaak Dunayevsky produced breakthrough works, and his film Jolly Fellows became a cultural landmark. According to historian Richard Stites, Utesov was more popular than contemporary Alexander Tsfasman, partly due to his film success and his Odessa background, which gave him a clowning manner. He was a personal favorite of Stalin. Utesov's legacy includes being the first pop singer awarded the title People's Artist of the USSR, and his influence is recognized by a minor planet named after him, 5944 Utesov, and a Google Doodle on his 125th birthday. His performances during World War II and his donations to the war effort further cemented his place in Soviet culture.

Did You Know?

• Utesov was born Lazar (Leyzer) Iosifovich Vaysbeyn or Weissbein.
• He dropped out of the Faig School of Commerce to join a circus troupe as an acrobat.
• He donated two La-5 planes to the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment during World War II.
• A minor planet, 5944 Utesov, is named after him.