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Billy Joseph Mayerl (May 31, 1902- March 25, 1959), was an English pianist and composer who built a...

Billy Joseph Mayerl (May 31, 1902- March 25, 1959), was an English pianist and composer who built a career in music hall and musical theatre and became an acknowledged master of light music. Best known for his syncopated novelty piano solos, he wrote over 300 piano pieces, many of which were named after flowers and trees, including his best known composition, Marigold (1927). He also composed works for piano and orchestra, often in suites with evocative names such as the 'Aquarium Suite' (1937), comprising "Willow Moss", "Moorish Idol", "Fantail", and "Whirligig". Mayerl was born into a musical family on London's Tottenham Court Road, near the West End theatre district. He began piano lessons at an early age and by the age of 7 he was studying at the Trinity College of Music. In his teens, he supplemented these lessons by accompanying silent movies (even, according to one source, selling ice cream during intermissions) and playing at dances. Attracted to American popular music, Mayerl joined a Southampton hotel band in 1921. He recorded approximately 37 piano rolls for the "Echo" label in London of various popular tunes of the early 20s. Subsequently he joined the Savoy Havana Band