Brave, stylish and self-effacing, this autobiography of a society bandleader records, among other things, a mighty strange childhood under the care of W. Averell Harriman.

A society bandleader's autobiography records, among other things, a mighty strange childhood under the care of W. Averell Harriman.

(Mr. Hamilton's father was the society bandleader George Hamilton, known as Spike.)

Ms. Hayward, whose father was the Broadway agent and producer Leland Hayward, is leaving for Venice on Saturday with her husband, Peter Duchin, the society bandleader.

It took a black musician and a war hero to counter some of these perceptions so that people might rethink their positions, and that was James Reese Europe, the powerful and popular society bandleader.

Hilda was a prominent French society bandleader who needed a young singer to perform at a nightclub that he planned to open near the Eiffel Tower.

Then, Lester Lanin, the legendary society bandleader, and his orchestra took the stage, playing Cole Porter tunes, and dancers took to the floor.

But even society bandleaders get the blues.

He is a pianist and cabaret singer, not a society bandleader.

"You don't see white dinner jackets so much anymore, except in particular pockets," Alex Donner, the good-natured society bandleader, was saying recently as he got dressed at his Fifth Avenue apartment for a engagement nearby.