Woody Herman was a child performer and singer who took up alto saxophone and became a professional musician in his teens, adding clarinet and soprano sax to his arsenal. By 1936 he took over the core of Isham Jones’ orchestra when the leader decided to take time off to focus on composing. The band, which featured Herman’s vocals and popular instrumentals, gained recognition in 1937 through their radio broadcasts, and in 1939 they had a hit with “Woodchopper’s Ball.” By the ‘40s the band’s bluesy character became more swing oriented, influenced by Ellington. Herman, the first to do so, hired female musicians for the band—a trumpeter and a vibraphonist.
While the nature of big bands necessarily changes with personnel, Herman, a forward-looking musi...
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AMERICA'S MUSIC LEGACY - Dixieland Jazz | |
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AMERICA'S MUSIC LEGACY - Dixieland Jazz
Artists:
Bryant, Clora -- Guarnieri, Johnny -- Herman, Woody -- Hirt, Al -- Plummer, Scotty -- Reese, Della
Label/Producer: Music Video Distributors |
HERMAN, Woody: Live in '64 | |
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HERMAN, Woody: Live in '64
Artists:
Herman, Woody -- Woody Herman Swingin' Herd
Label/Producer: Naxos |