Jay Richard Kennedy(1904-1991)

Author, composer, publisher and record executive. He was president of an aircraft tool manufacturing firm during World War II. For network radio, he wrote scripts for "The Man Called X" and several novels (see "Other Works" link). Also, he was president of the Shari Music publishing firm, and was manager, partner, director/producer and writer for Harry Belafonte. In 1956, he received the National Brotherhood award from the Catholic Interracial Council, and became vice-president of Sinatra Enterprises, where he headed the record and music-publishing divisions from 1966. Joining ASCAP in 1956, his chief musical collaborators were Harry Belafonte and Irving Burgie, and his popular-song compositions include "Shining Bright", "Blues Is Man", and "Eden Was Like This".