Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (1899-1981) was an American composer, pianist, singer, and actor, considered one of the central figures of the Great American Songbook. His career, which began in the 1920s, was distinguished by a unique compositional style that blended elements of jazz, blues, and American popular music, often with a nostalgic and colloquial tone. He is the author of some of the most celebrated and recorded songs of the 20th century, including "Stardust," "Georgia on My Mind," "Heart and Soul," and "Skylark." In addition to composing, Carmichael was successful as a performer of his own songs, with a warm, relaxed voice, and as a character actor in numerous films. His contribution was widely recognized: in 1951, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening," and in 1971, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a testament to his lasting influence on music worldwide.