associated_acts death_date years_active alias article_title name background birth_date instrument genre image origin birth_name occupation
erik tuxen 16 december 1969 1927 & ndash ; 1953 the lion leo mathisen
 leo mathisen non_vocal_instrumentalist 10 october 1906 piano jazz leo mathisen.jpg denmark hans leo mathiassen pianist , singer , composer , bandleader
leo mathisen

leo `` the lion '' mathisen -lrb- 10 october 1906 -- 16 december 1969 -rrb- was a danish jazz pianist , composer , arranger , singer and bandleader .
he was a leading figure of the thriving danish scene during the years around world war ii -- a period which has been labelled the golden age of danish jazz -- and he is considered to be one of most significant and original jazz musicians of his day .
mathisen 's main source of inspiration was fats waller , both his piano play and his singing , but the later years of his career saw some bebop influence .
his most famous tracks are `` take it easy '' and `` to be or not to be '' .
his nickname is a reference to his first name as well as mgm 's mascot leo the lion .
he is also remembered for his characteristic appearance with his flat , centrally parted hair , his thin moustache and , most notably , his fondness of large cigars .
