Frederick Emil Ahlert (September 19, 1892 – October 20, 1953) was an American composer and songwriter.

Early life

He received a degree from Fordham Law School, but instead of pursuing a legal career he began work as an arranger, initially for Irving Aaronson and his Commanders and then for composer and band-leader Fred Waring. Ahlert had his first hit song in 1920, and eventually started his own publishing company in 1928.

Career

His songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, Moon Mullican, Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Artie Shaw, and Fats Waller. Ahlert most frequently collaborated with lyricist Roy Turk, but he also wrote with others including Joe Young and Edgar Leslie. Ahlert was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. Ahlert was born in, and died in, New York City, where he lived all his life.

Selected works

Among his compositions (with Roy Turk unless otherwise noted):

Family

Fred Ahlert and his wife, Mildred ("Millie") (c. 1894 Russia – 1955 New York City), had three sons: Fred Ahlert had a brief prior marriage to Minnie Campbell. They were married October 17, 1912, in Manhattan, New York.