Enoch Henry Light (August 18, 1907 – July 31, 1978) was an American violinist, bandleader and pioneering recording engineer born in Canton, Ohio. Classically trained, he performed in the U.S. and Europe before a 1940 car accident and World War II shifted his focus.
Light formed The Light Brigade, a “sweet band” playing dance music in New York hotels like the Taft, broadcasting live on radio, and recording for labels like Brunswick and Bluebird through the 1940s.
In 1955, he founded Grand Award Records, followed by Command Records in 1959, targeting audiophiles with innovative stereo techniques, including 35mm magnetic film to reduce distortion. His albums, like Persuasive Percussion, topped charts, blending easy listening, big band, and exotica. After selling Command in 1965, Light launched Project 3, recording swing-era recreations with top New York musicians.
His work influenced artists like The Free Design and was sampled in modern music, notably in Mad Men’s theme. Light retired in 1974, splitting time between New York and Connecticut. He died in 1978 at 71. His legacy endures through reissued albums and events celebrating his innovative sound.
63 recordings by Enoch Light you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
American Patrol • April In Paris • Begin The Beguine • Besame Mucho • Big Ben Bossa Nova • Blame It On The Bossa Nova • Brazil • Bugle Call Rag • Caravan • Cherokee • Ciribiribin • Days Of Wine And Roses • Desafinado • Don’t Be That Way • Don’t Get Around Much Anymore • E Luxo So • Fly Me To The Moon • Flying Home • Four Brothers • Galanura • Heartaches • I Could Have Danced All Night • I’m Getting Sentimental Over You • In The Mood • Jersey Bounce • King Porter Stomp • La Puerta Del Sol • Let’s Dance • Little Brown Jug • Lullaby Of Birdland • Meditation • Mi Adorado • Moon River • Moonlight Serenade • Nola • O Barquinho (Little Boat) • One Note Samba • Pennsylvania 6-5000 • Perdido • Rio Junction (Bossa Nova) • Satin Doll • Sem Saudades De Voce • Sing Sing Sing Pt 1 • Smoke Rings • Snowfall • Softly As In A Morning Sunrise • Solitude • Song Of India • South Rampart Street Parade • Stardust • Stompin’ At The Savoy • String Of Pearls • Sugar Blues • Sunrise Serenade • Take the A Train • Take The ”A” Train • Tonight • Tuxedo Junction • We’ll Get It • What Is This Thing Called Love • What Kind Of Fool Am I • Woodchopper’s Ball • You Made Me Love You •
