Meet Tamar Springer

We recently connected with Tamar Springer and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamar , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I grew up listening to beautiful melodies and a classical concert every day. My father is “Santa Baby” composer Philip Springer. He is a very talented composer and a phenomenal piano player. Although he is best known for his classic Christmas song, “Santa Baby,” which he co-wrote in 1953 with lyricist Joan Javits, his catalogue includes volumes of music lesser known than his worldwide Christmas song. I decided to make it my mission to introduce him and his music to the world. This is a deeply heartfelt purpose in my life. Finding this purpose came from knowing that dad’s talent beyond “Santa Baby” should be shared and recognized by music lovers and fans of vintage music and history. Dad’s career touched many of the legendary 20th century artists and his is a fascinating story which I am telling in a documentary film titled, “More Than Santa Baby”.

In 2020 a video of Philip Springer playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (piano) went viral worldwide across all social media platforms. Philip won a World Classical Music Award and a 2024 Webby Award (“Best of the Internet”) for Best Individual Performance for this moving rendition. Philip is a role model for getting older with purpose, drive and continued meaningful activity. Another one of my aspirations is to host a podcast highlighting older people who live with intention and continued fulfillment in their golden years.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I have managed our family music publishing company “Tamir Music” for many years. The company owns the rights to most of composer Philip Springer’s songs which were published in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, and to his music written in many other idioms in addition to the popular songs. His catalogue includes recordings of many legendary 20th century artists, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Ann Margret, Eartha Kitt and many iconic UK artists such as Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield and Kiki Dee, among others. Philip wrote with the most accomplished lyricists of the time, which was known as The Brill Building era in New York City, aka Tin Pan Alley.

I am focusing on producing a documentary film about dad’s life and career, to tell his story which is a fascinating walk through 20th century music. I believe that dad’s story is significant in music history, and the unknown aspects of his journey will be an engaging discovery for fans of music and vintage culture.

I have worked on several projects that highlight dad’s music. The lyricist of “The Wizard of Oz”, E.Y. “Yip Harburg” was a dear family friend. Dad and Yip knew each other for 3o years before they started working together as a songwriting team, which they did during the last 10 years of Yip’s life. Yip was like a grandfather to me. During the pandemic, I produced a CD and book of liner notes about their friendship and their songs. The project is, “The Last Legacy of E.Y. “Yip” Harburg”. It has won several book awards, including a First Place in the “entertainment” category from The BookFest Awards.

Also during the pandemic I spent some time organizing the history of dad’s life and career, including memorabilia, photos, sheet music, videotapes and other film, All of a sudden it occurred to me, I had a documentary film in my hands! The film will be a wonderful way to share dad’s unique and special journey and reach large audiences. The film is coming along slowly but surely. I am working with an accomplished film maker to help illuminate the story, which I have titled, “More Than Santa Baby”.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In addition to managing the family music company and legacy of my father’s music, I worked in the field of psychology and social work for 30 years in many capacities, including administrative and as a therapist, clinician and mediator. One of the most important skills in all areas of life is communication. It is vitally important to be able to hear others, listen without judgement and be open to other’s ideas, beliefs and feelings even if they do not align with your own. This allows for open communication and the ability to work through issues even with different points of view. Learning to not argue over perspective is an invaluable skill in productive communication. Learning to regulate emotions is also a very important skill that helps in communication and all kinds of relationships.

Another vital quality in a positive life is believing in yourself and your dreams. Set your goals, dream big! Create small action steps towards your mission and do something everyday that propels you forward towards your vision. If fear of failure is a deterrent, learn to make friends with that feeling. Take the fear along with you and do it anyway. There might be negative feedback along the way, learn to leave behind what is not helpful in your mission and surround yourself with positivity. Stay open to new and different ideas!

The other quality is one that has been strengthened along my journey as a practitioner of karate. I am a third degree Black Belt in a Traditional Japanese style called Yoshukai karate. We have a saying, “OSU”. We say it when entering the dojo, as a greeting to each other and during practice. It means “never give up”. I apply this attitude in everything I am working on, as a producer, in my goals of preserving and promoting the legacy of my father’s music. Never give up!

To people early in their journey, I suggest studying the philosophy and stories of those you admire. It is always helpful to me to read about how someone put aside fear, continued on their path and achieved their success. Inspiration, motivation and ideas are helpful, so please find and follow those who inspire you through podcasts, reading, community groups and any positive means to help you feel supported and hopeful.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I do my best to take a break and step away to do something that makes me feel regenerated. These days that is usually playing tennis or pickleball, which I love to do for many reasons. The endorphins from exercise, the social benefits and simply getting out of the stressful situation is truly helpful. Doing a sport has always been an integral part of my lifestyle. If someone is limited in time, even a short walk around the block, doing a quick errand or anything to change the overwhelming present moment can help. Sometimes calling a friend, reading, or watching a movie just to take one’s mind off and out of the stressful situation initiates a reset. If I am asked for advice in this area, I call it “changing your space”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.composerofsantababy.com
• Instagram: @santababycomposer
• Facebook: Tamar Springer
• Linkedin: Tamar Springer
• Youtube: @santababycomposer

Image Credits

Photos courtesy of Tamar Springer