Jean Goldkette

Jean Goldkette (18 May, 1893 ? 24 March, 1962) was a jazz pianist and bandleader. Born in Patras, Greece and raised in Russia, he emigrated to the United States in 1910.

Related Topics:
18 May - 1893 - 24 March - 1962 - Jazz - Pianist - Bandleader - Patras, Greece - Russia - United States - 1910

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He led many jazz and dance bands, of which the best known was his Victor Recording Orchestra of 1924 ? 1929, which included, at various times, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, Frankie Trumbauer, Pee Wee Russell, Steve Brown, Doc Rykerand Joe Venuti, among others. Vocalists included the Keller Sisters and Lynch. In his Jazz Masters of the Thirties, Rex Stewart, a member of Fletcher Henderson's band at the time, writes that the Goldkette band's innovative arrangements and strong rhythm made it the best dance band of its day and "the first original white swing band in jazz history."

Related Topics:
Victor Recording Orchestra - 1924 - 1929 - Bix Beiderbecke - Hoagy Carmichael - Jimmy Dorsey - Tommy Dorsey - Eddie Lang - Frankie Trumbauer - Pee Wee Russell - Steve Brown - Doc Ryker - Joe Venuti - Keller Sisters and Lynch - Rex Stewart - Fletcher Henderson

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In 1927 Paul Whiteman hired away most of Goldkette's better players. Goldkette later helped organize McKinney's Cotton Pickers and the Gray's Orange Blossoms, which became famous as the Casa Loma Orchestra. In the 1930s he left jazz to work as a booking agent and classical pianist.

Related Topics:
1927 - Paul Whiteman - McKinney's Cotton Pickers - Gray - Casa Loma Orchestra - 1930s

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In 1939 he organized the American Symphony Orchestra which debuted in Carnegie Hall. Frankie Laine worked as Goldkette's librarian.

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He moved to California in 1961 and the following year died in Santa Barbara, California.

Related Topics:
California - Santa Barbara, California

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