Dick Mango

Dick Mango (b. Richard J. Mango, July 15, 1912, Pennsylvania; d. June 8, 1975, Olmsted County, MN^[1][2]) was an American Bandleader and saxophonist, originally from Detroit. He led a well-known territory band — The Dick Mango Orchestra — that was booked out of Omaha in the 1950s. In the mid-1940s, he served in the US Army as a saxophonist and arranger.

Early years

Mango began his professional career at age 16. His family had moved to Detroit from Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, where he received his early musical training from his parents, both of whom were music teachers. Before moving, he had attended Vandergrift High School in 1927-28 as a Freshman.^[3] His first full-time job was with a traveling dance band, I. Fiscus and the Kiski Valley Blue Ribbon Boys, a popular east coast attraction. He later played with Phil Brestoff, conductor of the Michigan Theater house band, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Johnny Long, and Ted Lewis. He has appeared in two films with the Lewis band: "Three Cheers for the Boys" and "Is Everybody Happy?" During his tenure in the military, he organized dance bands and entertained the GIs. Upon his return from the service, he bagan his own band.^[4]

Selected compositions and arrangements

• You're the Answer, William S. Mango (Dick's brother) & Richard J. Mango © Sept 14, 1944 (41433)^[5]

Former members of the Dick Mango Orchestra

• Bob Olsen – trumpet
• Herbie Phillips – trumpet

References

1. ^ U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
2. ^ Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002
3. ^ The 1928 Spectator (Vandergrift HS Yearbook), pg. 54, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania
4. ^ Dick Mango's Orchestra Here, Salina Journal (Salina, Kansas), June 8, 1952
5. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, pt. 3, n. s. vol 39, U.S. Copyright Office

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Name	Mango, Dick
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Date of death	June 8, 1975
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