Korla Pandit

Korla Pandit (September 16 1921 - October 2 1998), born John Roland Redd in St. Louis, Missouri, was a musician, composer, pianist, organist, and television pioneer. He was known as "The Godfather Of Exotica". Arriving in Los Angeles, California in 1939, young John Roland Redd donned a turban and performed by the name Juan Rolando. Marrying a stunning Disney Studios artist (Beryl June DeBeeson in 1944), the two enhanced his image, eventually replacing Juan Rolando with Korla Pandit