Artie Shaw

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by William Gottlieb

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Biography

Arthur Arshawsky (23 May 1910 – 30 December 2004), better known as Artie Shaw, was an accomplished alto saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and author.
He was born in New York City (but grew up in New Haven, Connecticut) and began learning the saxophone when he was 15 and by age 16, had begun to tour with a band. He reached Hollywood the first time, as a sideman with Irving Aaronson’s band in 1931, performing at the famous Orange Blossom Room (site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929). Returning to New York City in1932, he became a highly in-demand session musician, working for example as one of just a handful of accompanists to Bing Crosby’s first signature radio show for William S. Paley’s already powerful and influential CBS radio network. Ultimately, Artie (who was known strictly as “Art” Shaw until his fortuitous Summer, 1938 contract with RCA Victor records’ Bluebird label commenced) organized and led five, full-time touring orchestras that were all extremely popular -save the last, from 1949, with its be-bop oriented book. Ironically, that final Shaw-led big band (populated with players like Al Cohn), is considered by most jazz critics to have been Artie’s best. With time out to lead a Navy service band (in the Pacific combat theater) during WWII, Shaw’s actual big band- leading career lasted less than a decade overall -yet, it was a remarkably productive one, populated with some fourteen “Gold” records.

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  • worinimabi

    当听众冠以goodman"king of swing"名号的时候,shaw的fans则不甘示弱地称呼他为"king of clarinet" shaw听到后笑道 "i prefer you call me the king of music"

    2 Aug 2012 Reply
  • FolxPunxForLife

    So perfect

    1 Aug 2012 Reply
  • dalakop

    so simply so fucking amazing!

    14 Mar 2012 Reply
  • meowmixhash

    why does comes love sound so familiar? hmmm

    19 Nov 2011 Reply
  • Teffasus

    Deuces Wild

    26 Aug 2011 Reply
  • Kershlaus91

    I agree DosTsiembo =) , I am 20 and I have just discovered this amazing jazz clarinet player and big band leader when I bought one compilation this monday !

    9 Jul 2011 Reply
  • DosTsiembo

    I am 15 and I like Artie Shaw not this gaga bullshit. Thumbs up if you agree

    16 Jun 2011 Reply
  • gyash

    prosschai это значит гудбай

    11 Feb 2011 Reply
  • drippz

    so amazing

    5 Jan 2011 Reply
  • alexpeter9595

    Artie Shaw, King of Clarinet. I may only be 15, but my goodness, I can't describe how much I love this music; especially Nightmare.

    29 Dec 2010 Reply
  • SoulJazzsterInc

    Haha yes, for us French, Artie Shaw sounds like the French for artichoke lol

    27 Oct 2010 Reply
  • Aserikoth

    artichaud

    1 Oct 2010 Reply
  • johntardsbaby66

    CabaretShow: Benny Goodman.

    12 May 2010 Reply
  • YoVultures

    Similar artists: Bros in suits.

    31 Dec 2009 Reply
  • fujiva

    Frenesi,free and sin.

    13 Sep 2009 Reply
  • CabaretShow

    If anyone knows of a clarinetists this great, PLEASE TELL ME!

    13 Apr 2009 Reply
  • lisamad

    Cool

    31 Jan 2009 Reply
  • LondonLouis

    Last night was watching a superb BBC documentary on the history of swing, and it had that terrible story of when Artie hired Bille Holliday as his lead singer. The swish New York hotel they were booked into insisted that Billie use the service lift so as not to scare off the racist clientele. That was the end of Bille's mainstream career.

    20 Dec 2008 Reply
  • duomosik

    If you like jazz clarinet, you should probably check out our new album JOHANN! Full length previews and a free download! Bon swing!

    4 Nov 2008 Reply
  • kaveeto

    stardust by artie shaw is perfect,specially leading by the trumpet as well as the clarinet.

    27 Sep 2008 Reply
  • All 28 shouts

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