Arthur William Kaplan (October 28, 1935 – October 11, 2025) was an American recording artist, songwriter and a session musician. He had also been a music contractor where he was hired to musicians for sessions. In the 1960s, he was casting musicians for sessions for Aldon Music.Chasing Sound: Technology, Culture, and the Art of Studio Recording from Edison to the LP By Susan Schmidt Horning Page 206 When musician Joe Delia was asked about the best advice he had ever had, he said it was from Kaplan, who said "Always show up on time and bring a pencil."Dans Papers Joe Delia to Rock Dan's Best of the Best Concert on Friday
Background Kaplan graduated from Lafayette High School, after which he served in the Army. Arthur William Kaplan October 28, 1935 – October 11, 2025 Kaplan was a singer-songwriter, producer and composer and the instruments he played were saxophone, clarinet, flute and piccolo. His saxophone playing and solos could be heard on over 150 songs that made it to the top 10. The songs he has played on are "1-2-3" by Len Barry, "The Locomotion" by Little Eva, "Mandy" by Barry Manilow, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" by Neil Sedaka and "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" by Spanky & Our Gang.Freenotes Kaplan, Artie
In 1972, he released an album with the title Confessions of a Male Chauvinist Pig. In a studio news summary, Billboard'''s Sam Sutherland referred to it as "an eyebrow raising project" that Chris Dedrick (of The Free Design) and Mort Ross were working on.Billboard September 9, 1972 Page 14 Studio Track by Sam Sutherland
Kaplan died on October 11, 2025, at the age of 89.
Songwriting Kaplan co-wrote the song "Harmony" with Norman Simon which appeared on his 1972 album Confessions of a Male Chauvinist Pig. It has been covered by Ray Conniff and the Singers and appeared on their album of the same title. Sound: Technology, Culture, and the Art of Studio Recording from Edison to the LP By Susan Schmidt Horning [https://books.google.com/books?id=wS6cAQAAQBAJ&dq=Artie+Kaplan+session+musician&pg=PA206 Page 206
Along with Artie Kornfeld, Kaplan co-wrote "Bensonhurst Blues", which was a hit for Dutch singer Oscar Benton.Romania Insider June 21, 2013 – daily news Dutch singer Oscar Benton to perform in Romania this autumn Other songs he has written are "My First and Only Lover" which was recorded by Nat "King" Cole and "It's Been a Long Time" which has been recorded by Eric Faulkner.australian-charts.com ARTIE KAPLAN
Discography Singles "Harmony" / "God Fearin' Man" – Interfusion – 1972 (New Zealand)45 Cat Artie Kaplan Harmony "Harmony" / "Stay Don't Go" – CBS – CBS 1189 – 1973 (Germany)45 Cat Artie Kaplan Harmony "Bensonhurst Blues" / "Music Is Sweet Music in My Soul" – Riviera 121470 – 1973 (France)45 Cat Artie Kaplan Bensonhurst Blues "Down by the Old Stream" / "I Wanna Go To Coney Island with My Grandma" – Paramount 0276 (1974) "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" / " Livin' Ain't So Easy" – Soedi – SOJ 640001 – 1981 (Italy)Discogs Artie Kaplan – Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay "Music Is Sweet Music to My Soul" / "Yours Is The Song" – Philips 6017 308 – 1982 (Netherlands)45 Cat Artie Kaplan Music Is Sweet Music To My Soul
Albums Confessions of a Male Chauvinist Pig – Hopi VHS 901 – 1972 Down By the Old Stream – Paramount PAS-1019 – 1974Both Sides Now Publications Paramount Album Discography By Mike Callahan and David Edwards My Name Is Artie Kaplan – K-Tel – TI 183 (Italy)wax fm Artie Kaplan – My Name Is Artie Kaplan
Compilation albums My Songs – CBS – S 65829 – 1973 (Italy)Discogs Artie Kaplan – My Songs Greatest Hits – Edigsa – 01L0337 – 1982 (Spain)Discogs Artie Kaplan – Greatest Hits
CD albums Fun Time for Kids w/Artie Kaplan Confessions of a Male Chauvinist Pig I'm Just the Singer in the Band Barnyard Stories and Poems Down by the Old StreamSession work Singles Connie Francis – "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" – Soprano saxophoneChris White Fansite Alex Frazer-Harrison THE HISTORY OF “TOP 40” SAXOPHONE SOLOS 1955–2005 Neil Sedaka – "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" – SaxophoneA Record A Day Record #0166: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do / As Long As I Live – NEIL SEDAKA
Albums Nat Adderley – Sayin' Somethin' – saxophoneThe Musical World of J.J. Johnson By Joshua Berrett, Louis G. Bourgois III Page 394 -237- Janis Ian – Between the Lines – alto saxophone Lonnie Liston Smith And The Cosmic Echoes – Reflections of a Golden Dream – baritone saxophoneDiscogs Lonnie Liston Smith And The Cosmic Echoes – Reflections Of A Golden Dream Janis Ian – Aftertones – baritone saxophone Janis Ian – Janis Ian – FluteSoftshoe's Music Matters Site Janis Ian Van McCoy – Rhythms of the World – trumpetDiscogs Van McCoy – Rhythms Of The World Barry Manilow – Even Now – Musicians contractor in New YorkAlbum Liner Notes.com Barry Manilow Even Now ARISTA AB 4164, Original 1978 album liner notes Barry Manilow – Barry Manilow IIDiscogs Barry Manilow – Barry Manilow II Van Morrison – T.B. Sheets – flute, saxophoneProgrography Van Morrison: T.B. Sheets (1973) NYCC – Make Every Day Count – contractor for horns and stringsDiscogs NYCC* – Make Every Day Count Dusty Springfield – Longing'' – music contractor
References
External links AKP Records