Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 28, 1890 in Denver, CO

Death

:

December 29, 1967 in Doylestown, PA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Paul Whiteman was an American bandleader, composer, and violinist who was born on March 28, 1890, in Denver, Colorado. He was the son of Wilburforce James Whiteman, a music teacher, and his wife, Adeline. Paul Whiteman grew up in a musical family and began playing the violin at an early age. He was a child prodigy and gave his first public performance at the age of 10. Whiteman's family moved to San Francisco when he was a teenager, and he continued to study music. He played in various orchestras and bands, including the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In 1914, he moved to New York City and became a violinist in the orchestra of the Palais Royal, a popular dance hall. In 1918, Whiteman formed his own band, which he called the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. The band was initially a small group of musicians, but it grew in size and popularity over the years. Whiteman's orchestra was known for its unique sound, which blended jazz and classical music. He called this style "symphonic jazz" and it became very popular in the 1920s. One of the highlights of Whiteman's career was his performance at the Aeolian Hall in New York City on February 12, 1924. The concert was called "An Experiment in Modern Music" and featured the premiere of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." Whiteman's orchestra played the piece, with Gershwin himself on the piano. The concert was a huge success and helped to establish both Gershwin and Whiteman as major figures in American music. Whiteman's orchestra continued to be popular throughout the 1920s and 1930s. They recorded many hit songs, including "Whispering," "The Japanese Sandman," and "Body and Soul." Whiteman also appeared in several films, including "King of Jazz" in 1930. In addition to his musical career, Whiteman was also a businessman. He owned several radio stations and was involved in the development of television. He was also a philanthropist and supported many charitable causes. Whiteman received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1983. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. Paul Whiteman died on December 29, 1967, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He was 77 years old. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in American music, and his contributions to the development of jazz and popular music are still celebrated today.

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