Al Piantadosi

American pianist, publisher and composer of popular music (1884-1955). Born in New York, he was a prolific songwriter of sentimental ballads starting in 1906 and continuing right into the 1930's. He collaborated with some of the best lyricists of his time amongst whom were including Alfred Bryan, Grant Clarke, and Edgar Leslie. As a pianist he covered resorts, night clubs and vaudeville as well as touring Europe and Australia.
Some consider his most famous work to be the sentimental The Curse of An Aching Heart (1913). On the ragtime front, he is remembered for his Rusty-Can-O Rag (1910) and That Italian Rag (1910). He died in Encino, California.