b. Edgar Junius Hayes, 23 May 1904, Lexington, Kentucky, USA, d. 28 June 1979, San Bernadino, California, USA. Hayes’ name will always be associated with his tinkling, cocktail-lounge interpretation of Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘Star Dust’, which came backed with a version of ‘In The Mood’, the coupling providing the piano-playing Hayes with a 1938 hit. After studying at Fisk and Wilberforce Universities, he made his debut with Fess Williams, then formed his own Blue Grass Buddies in Ohio in 1924. Throughout the 20s he worked with various bands eventually becoming pianist-arranger with Mills Blue Rhythm Band in 1931 and retaining his place with the unit after Lucky Millinder assumed leadership three years later. Leaving Millinder in mid-1936, he formed his own band, which debuted in early 1937, recording tracks for Varsity and Decca Records. A healthy-sounding 14-piece band, it initially featured Shelton Hemphill (trumpet), Joe Garland (tenor saxophone), Elmer James (bass) and Crawford Wetherington (alto saxophone), all of whom had partnered Hayes in the Millinder line-up. In the rhythm section was a 22-year-old drummer named Kenny Clarke, later to become one of the kingpins of bebop. Hayes toured Scandinavia in 1938, recording some tracks for the Swedish Odeon label, but neither these nor the rest of the band’s Decca titles produced another ‘Star Dust’ and the band folded in 1941. By 1942 Hayes could be found in California where he played a residency at the Somerset House, Riverside, up to 1946, after which he led a combo called the Stardusters, playing at various west coast venues through to the early 50s. During the 60s and 70s Hayes opted for a solo career, performing mainly lounge duties and frequently reprising ‘Star Dust’ for anyone who happened to remember his band leading days.