Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 23, 1910 in New York City, NY

Death

:

December 30, 2004 in Thousand Oaks, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

Artie Shaw was an American clarinetist, composer, and bandleader who was one of the most popular and influential musicians of the swing era. He was born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky on May 23, 1910, in New York City to Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a seamstress. Shaw grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 12. He later switched to the clarinet, which became his primary instrument. Shaw's early musical influences included classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, as well as jazz musicians such as Bix Beiderbecke and Benny Goodman. He began playing professionally in his teens, performing with various bands in New York City and Connecticut. In 1929, he joined the Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra, which was one of the top dance bands of the era. He also played with the bands of Irving Aaronson and Red Nichols. In the early 1930s, Shaw moved to Hollywood, where he worked as a studio musician and played in various bands. He also began composing his own music, including the hit song "Interlude in B-flat," which he recorded with his own band in 1936. That same year, he formed the first of several big bands that would bear his name. The Artie Shaw Orchestra quickly became one of the most popular and innovative bands of the swing era, known for its sophisticated arrangements and virtuosic soloists. Shaw's early recordings with his band included such classics as "Begin the Beguine," "Stardust," and "Frenesi." He also recorded with vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Helen Forrest, and Lena Horne. In 1938, he made a famous appearance at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles, where his band's performance caused a near-riot among the young fans who had come to hear them play. Shaw's success as a bandleader and composer continued throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. He recorded numerous hit songs and albums, including "Concerto for Clarinet," which became one of his signature pieces. He also appeared in several films, including "Dancing Co-Ed" and "Second Chorus," in which he played himself. In 1941, Shaw disbanded his orchestra and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a gunnery instructor and played in the Navy band. He was discharged in 1944 and formed a new band, which included such notable musicians as Roy Eldridge, Dodo Marmarosa, and Barney Kessel. However, by the late 1940s, Shaw had grown disillusioned with the music business and decided to retire from performing. Shaw continued to compose music and write books throughout the rest of his life. He also became involved in various business ventures, including a successful chain of restaurants. In the 1980s, he returned to performing, playing occasional concerts and recording new albums. He was also the subject of a documentary film, "Time Is All You've Got," which chronicled his life and career. Artie Shaw died on December 30, 2004, at the age of 94. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest clarinetists and bandleaders of all time, and his music continues to be celebrated and studied by musicians and fans around the world.

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