Earl Burtnett (February 7, 1896 – January 2, 1936)[1] was an American bandleader, songwriter and pianist who was popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
He began having songs published, including "Canadian Capers" (1915) and "Down Honolulu Way" (1916), and in 1918 joined Art Hickman's touring band.
[1][2][3] After they moved back to California, Burtnett continued as lead arranger and writer for the Hickman orchestra, his successful songs including "Sleep", "Leave Me With A Smile" (1921), "Mandalay" (1924), and "If I Should Lose You" (1927).
They also appeared in two films, The Flying Fool (1929) and The Party Girl (1930), billed as "Earl Burtnett and his Hotel Biltmore Orchestra and Trio".
[citation needed] On Christmas Eve, 1935, Burtnett underwent an appendectomy at Illinois Central Hospital in Chicago.