Abe Battat

Jazz Musician, Composer, and Bandleader

Spring 1951 Graduate

        His varied talents became apparent during his years at Lincoln where he was not only the editor of the Lincoln Log and wrote the sports column but also ran track and played soccer. Abe's entertainment skills came to the forefront when he directed the Senior Variety Show. After graduating from Lincoln, he attended San Francisco State College.

        Abe was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, initially, serving in the 63rd Infantry Regiment. Eventually, the Army recognized his unique talents and he was designated the music coordinator for the Army Special Service in France.

        Upon his return to civilian life in San Francisco, he began appearing in jazz and night clubs throughout the Bay Area and his fame as an outstanding pianist and band leader grew. In 1955, he was appointed Music Director of KIZ-TV (San Francisco) where he met a young singer named Johnny Mathis. Although Johnny Mathis had attended Washington High School, Abe still agreed to be his accompanist at the Fallen Angel Club and helped launch the career of one of the most successful ballad singers of all time.

        Abe has accompanied most of the great singers of the last thirty years, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Jack Jones, Peggy Lee and Dinah Washington. He has made numerous records and currently records on the Fantasy Label. Abe has been the Music Director at the St. Francis Hotel for the past twenty years where his trio continues to appears in the Compass Rose Room.

        His talent is not confined to music only, Abe has had an extensive acting career. His movie credits include Bullit, Take the money and run and What's Up Doc? His television credits include Ironside and the Streets of San Francisco. He has appeared in many commercials for companies such as Pepsi-Cola, Folger's Coffee and Chevrolet.

        Abe's tribute to his friend, fellow Lincoln Alumnus and Wall of Fame inductee, Vince Guaraldi, at Lincoln High School's 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1991 was the highlight of the evening.

        In recognition of his many accomplishments, Abe was inducted into the Abraham Lincoln High School Wall of Fame in May 1993.