Rex Koury (1911 - 2006) - List of Probable Suspects

ex Koury (March 18. 1911* - May 29. 2006)
Height: a little under 6ft. Weight: 150 lbs (1932) Eyes: blue Hair: dark brown Marriages: (1) Louise Hansen, dancer (1933 - bfr. Nov 1938, divorced) (2) Georgia Aleda Leavenworth, singer for big band, radio (Nov 30. 1938 - Oct 19. 1962, divorced) Children (adopted) Georgette L. and Robert R. (3) Mary Delores Jezick, secretary (Nov 4. 1962 - Nov 7. 1998, her death) Sister: Laurise Valerie Koury (Mangold) (Aug 5. 1914 - Feb 15. 1948)


Reginald St. George Koury, better and famously known as "Rex Koury," was born to George Koury (Syrian) and Dora Mary Cameron (Irish) in greater London, England on March 18. 1911. He lived his first two years in Egypt before his parents emigrated to America aboard the United States Mail Steamer St. Louis from Southampton and Cherbourg to New York arriving August 16. 1913 settling in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was here that he began piano lessons in 1919, later taking up serious organ study in 1924 at age 13 after he attended his first movie and found himself more fascinated by the pipe organ accompaniment than by the film itself. By the age of fourteen, Koury had persuaded the organist at the local Cranford Theater, New Jersey to let him play the movie trailers for free. He also became the organist at St. John's Church in Elisabeth, NJ. During this period he studied with the country's leading theatre organist. His performances were so well received that his duties quickly expanded. From that moment, he resolved to become an organist (1927-29), and at 16 years of age became the youngest professional theatre organist in the country. Rex Koury’s musical education included studies under several distinguished teachers, among them Ernst Toch, Dr. Bauman Lowe, Dr. Wesley Turtelott, and Dr. Erno Rapee. Diploma, Batten High School.
By twenty-three, he held cinema organ positions at several theaters, playing in local silent film theatres (Elizabeth, Hillside NJ, 1927-1929; Rahway Theatre, NJ, 1928) and a contract with RKO Proctor’s Fourth Street Theatre in Troy, where he was billed as “The Youngest Professional Organist in America.” One of organist Rex Koury’s recent attractions, which demonstrated his popularity with the Troy audience, was his so-called “Request Program.” For this performance, a specially designed, modern-looking scrim was used. On it, a film frame projected dozens of audience letters requesting songs. The letters then transformed into on-screen text explaining that, because of the huge volume of mail, it would be impossible to play every requested piece in full. Instead, Koury would perform a few measures of as many requests as possible within a seven-minute segment. Koury then responded musically, asking, “How Am I to Know?” in song, followed by a visual slide encouraging more requests and promising to play them in future performances. In total, he performed thirty selections during the Request Program. Each piece was rendered with slightly different combinations and styles, blending seamlessly into the next. The program built to a dramatic conclusion with the “RKO March,” which brought the audience to its feet. Koury’s showmanship made him a hot topic in Troy. He went on to appear as a solo organist in RKO cinema palaces throughout New York State, parts of New England, and New York City (1929-34). He even offered a complete vaudeville show (Troy Proctors 4th St, Nov 1931) in one of his most recent organ solos and did exceptionally well with it, stopping the show at several performances. He called the novelty Vaudeville a la Rex Koury, and opened with an introductory slide as he played "Voice of the RKO." After this, an imitation of the orchestra, playing their overture, was offered and then takeoffs on four vaudeville acts. The solo was smartly presented. Many of the audience voiced their opinion that this was one of the best solos this organist has offered.

Above: Rex signed a 4 year contract with RKO Radio, and was billed as: "The Worlds youngest Organist – The Voice of RKO: R-Rex K-Koury O-Organist".


He had a bi-weekly radio show on WGY, Schenectady, called Cinema Time. He also ran the Rex Koury School of Music for beginner and advanced students. Around August 1930, his mother, Mrs. Koury, made a trip to Troy to visit her son. While descending from a bus, she fell and later developed complications. Mrs. Koury was rushed to City Hospital in Elizabeth. On October 29, she suffered an internal hemorrhage, and after several blood transfusions, her condition was considered critical. Rex returned to his home in Roselle, New Jersey, in response to an urgent message from his father stating that his mother was not expected to live for more than 24 hours. She died November 4. Rex Koury (of Cranford, N. J., RKO Palace), resigned and left for San Diego, California, where he was to marry Louise Hansen. She was a dancer, playing in Paramount on Parade (Paramount, Apr 22. 1930), The Vagabond King (Paramount, Feb 14. 1930) and others. Koury expected to locate either in Los Angeles or Hollywood. Miss Hansen operated a music and dance school at San Diego. (Variety, March 1933) At that time the theatre organ industry began to decline, and in Hollywood, he built a multifaceted career as a conductor, pianist, and composer for various movie studios. He continued to perform as an organist, both in concert and on radio broadcasts. He joined several touring dance bands, including those led by Teddy Mack and George Hamilton. At 23 he became a full member of the Musicians Union Local 47. At 25 he joined George Hamilton and his Music Box Band, which was touring the country with the dance team of Veloz and Yolanda. There he met singer Georgia Leath. He married Georgia A. Leavenworth (known professionally as Georgia Leath***) of Ferndale, Michigan (a big band/radio singer) on November 30. 1938, in Yuma, Arizona.

In the eighth and final season of the radio series The Adventures of *Ellery Queen, (ABC, Nov 27. 1947 - May 27. 1948) he was the organist on duty. From 1938 he composed and conducted scores for many radio series as a broadcast studio musician playing for such programs as Ellery Queen, The Amazing Mr. Malone, and Fibber McGee and Molly* (1941). Mr. Koury's music could be heard over both the Red and Blue networks of the National Broadcasting Company. In 1940 at age 29, he was the Staff Orchestra Leader for radio station KMPC in Los Angeles. He had his own radio show on KMPC called Fiesta with Rex Koury and the Cabelleros. He was known by his given name on the Red network, but on the Blue network he performed under the alias Roy St. George. Rex played with the Glenn Miller Band for a short time before enlisting in the Army in 1942 during World War II. Rex enlisted in the army in December, and was assigned to the Douglas Army Air Field in Douglas, AZ. as Staff Sergeant. He arranged for and directed the 410th Band, and was director of the radio orchestra. He was promoted to Master Sergeant in 1944. Upon discharge in 1946, he went back to Hollywood, and worked at NBC before going over to ABC as staff organist. During this time he was also musical director for Stars Over Hollywood at CBS, and Parade of Stars on NBC. Rex was also credited with writing the NBC Chimes. He went on to do an ABC show called Screen Guild Players, which featured many well known artist of the time singing songs from their most recent Hollywood movies. Throughout the 1940s and ’50s, he performed hundreds of pipe organ broadcasts as featured soloist for both the NBC and ABC networks. Meredith Willson radio orchestras, ...
Over the following decades, Koury held music director posts with multiple Hollywood studios, composing and conducting for a wide range of television productions. From 1949 through the 1950s and ’60s—an era he fondly referred to as television’s “golden age”—he wrote and conducted scores for popular series including The George Jessel Show, The Fugitive, and the Western-style theme for Gunsmoke, his most famous composition, which originated as a radio theme before becoming the signature of the long-running TV series.
Above right: No one's going to get Rex Koury, pianist to open his mouth! The gent sporting the pork pie binnet is Fred Astaire. The healthy looking lass is Judy Garland who is currently in England demonstrating talent's better than anything. The exposed adenoid moment was captured at an ABC Screen Guild Players rehearsal. (Capitol News, May 1951)
In October 1952 at age 41, he became "ABC Western Division Musical Director", covering both radio and TV. He also composed the 'body' music and theme for the radio show Gunsmoke at CBS. While Musical Director at ABC, he had 10 coast to coast programs. He became conductor, arranger, and composer for the annual Salvation Army of Stars Christmas Album. In 1953 at age arranger, and composer for the annual Salvation Army of Stars Christmas Album. In 1953 at age 42, he was voted one of the "Top Performers of 1953" by Fortnight Magazine. Starting August 25. 1954 he had a band at the Ambassador Hotel's Cocoanut Grove. He received the 1st "Gold Cocoanut" award for having the longest running engagement of 14 weeks. His guests included Harry Belafonte and Judy Garland. He also had 3 shows on Armed Service Radio: Gunsmoke, Music by Rex Koury and Cinema Time. His other interests included painting and model railroads. In 1955, his railroad was featured in "Popular Mechanics". In 1956 Downbeat Magazine, Film-TV Music Poll, award Rex for "Best Scoring of a Radio Series" for Gunsmoke.

Above: Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell (R) and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad (L) on radio and James Arness on television. Rex Koury (center) composed the theme. He's seen here receive the "Bud Shank Flute" the DownBeat magazine award. (Feb 2. 1957)

In 1955 and 1957, respectively, Rex and Georgia adopted two children: Georgette L. and Robert R. In 1957 he recorded his 4th album, "Stairway To Heaven". In 1958, he left ABC as musical director and moved to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, where he partnered in a local radio station, KVNI. He also wrote a composition in E Minor for a string quartet which was recorded in Rome by Radio television Roma. In 1962 he returned to California where on November 4. he married his mistress/former secretary, Mary De(o)lores Jezick (Peters) in Orange, California. She had five children from her previous marriage to James Peters: James R. Peters, Joanne Peters, Denise M. Peters, Barry L. Peters, and Bryon R. Peters.** Moving into the television field, Koury became music director for such game shows as I'll Bet and You Don't Say, broadcast over NBC affiliates, and appeared with Monty Hall on Let's Make a Deal. After moving to Reno, Nevada in 1971, Rex returned to the theatre organ, playing dozens of concerts throughout the United States for many ATOS chapters. His programs were quite appealing and well played. His genial demeanor and good humor made him a hit with audiences. Typically his program included and often ended with his playing the title music of Gunsmoke. He continued to direct the Salvation Army of Stars orchestra, judged the U.S. Finals for the 'Yamaha National Electone Organ Pops Competition', toured the country giving concerts, and recorded his album Sincerely Yours. In 1972 he played at least one major concert a month, was the 1st to play the newly restored Welte Organ at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley, Ca. to this day he is the only person to record an album on it.

Above: Rex Koury plays a private performance after the concert - the 'Walsh Worth Wurlitzer Waltz' he composed. (1972)

In the 1970s and ’80s, he recorded several albums marking his return to the theatre organ scene. An active and respected figure in the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), elected to it's Board of Directors in 1977, Koury also served as its president from 1983 to 1985 and remained on its board of directors for several years. He was among the leading theatre organists of his time, performing at numerous ATOS conventions and local chapter concerts throughout the 1970s and ’80s. His concert tours took him across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, where he also presented classical organ recitals in addition to his theatre organ performances. Koury was named ATOS Member of the Year and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame. Koury continued to compose: His Concerto for Theatre Organ and Orchestra, commissioned by the Sussex Theatre Organ Trust, Worthing, England, was premiered in October 1987 with a 65-piece orchestra and Rex at the console. In 1988 he was elected into the Theater Organ Hall of Fame. For a brief time he was Chairman of the Board for the short-lived Koury Organ Company, which had hoped to build electronic organs for church and concert use.



In his later career (1985–2001), Koury composed numerous organ solos and organ-piano duets for Lorenz Publishing Co. His sacred compositions for Lorenz often reflected his theatrical flair, demonstrating his remarkable versatility as both composer and arranger. In 1992 he moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rex was an organist and choir director at a local church in every city he lived in. In 1998 at age 87, he moved to Casper, WY., and was co-organist at the First Presbyterian Church until 2002. In 1999, at age 88, he was elected as an Honorary Member of "The Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy". In 2000, at age 89, he performed a Pipe Organ concert at the First Presbyterian Church, Casper, Wyoming. In 2002 at age 91, Rex retired. As a Life Member of Local 47 of the American Federation of Musicians Rex was elected to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Rex Koury passed away in Casper, Wyoming on May 29. 2006 at the age of ninety-five. He was survived by seven children and nine grandchildren. Late in his career, having spent so many years in the studios, Mr. Koury remarked, "It's nice to be out among people again. I guess I've now run the whole cycle. I started my playing career on the organ, and here I am back at it once more."


Notities: * Some sources say March 18. 1912 Although Rex never formally adopted them, the youngest three legally changed their surnames to Koury in 1975. * She sang over WWJ Detroit for a number of years also WGN, Chicago and toured with George Hamiltons band where she met her husband met. Programs or dates in red still need confirmation.

Click on Uncle Sam if you think you can help out...!
Other references (1) IMDb (2) The Lorenz Corp. Biography of Rex Koury (3) "Rex Koury Remembered" by Jeff Weiler, January/February 2007 issue of Theatre Organ Journal, the official journal of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS). (4) Prabook Rex Koury Profile (5) SecondHandSongs Additional video & audio sources (1) OldTimeRadio Downloads (2) Musical Director Rex Koury on Writing Gunsmoke's Famous Theme SoundCloud Interview

This profile is a part of Ellery Queen a website on deduction. The person above produced was organist for the Ellery Queen radio series. Click Uncle Sam if you think you can help out...! Many of the profiles on this site have been compiled after very careful research of various sources. Please quote and cite ethically!
Page first published October 10. 2025 Version 1.0 - Last updated October 10. 2025