Woody Herman

Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16 1913–October 29 1987), better known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and Big band leader.

Related Topics:
May 16 - 1913 - October 29 - 1987 - American - Jazz - Clarinetist - Saxophonist - Singer - Big band - Leader

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Herman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child he worked as a singer in vaudeville, then became a professional saxophone player at age 15. When Isham Jones's band, of which Herman had been a member, broke up in 1936, he formed his own band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, with some of his band mates. This band became known for its orchestrations of the blues and were sometimes billed as "The Band That Plays The Blues". Chief among the more than 50 hits recorded by this band were "Woodchoppers' Ball," "Blue Flame," and "Blues in the Night."

Related Topics:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Vaudeville - Isham Jones - Blues

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In 1943, the band was named "The Herman Herd" by George Simon, editor of Metronome Magazine. This band's music was heavily influenced by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Its lively, swinging arrangements, combining bop themes with swing rhythm parts, were greatly admired; Igor Stravinsky wrote "Ebony Concerto" for this band. Other pieces for which the band was known include "Caldonia" and "Northwest Passage." Featured musicians were trumpeter Sonny Berman, tenor saxist Flip Phillips, trombonist Bill Harris, vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianist/arranger Ralph Burns, and drummers Davey Tough and Don Lamond.

Related Topics:
Duke Ellington - Count Basie - Bop - Swing - Igor Stravinsky

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Herman disbanded the orchestra in 1946 to spend more time with his wife and family, but in 1947 organized the Second Herd. This band featured a cooler sound, provided by such musicians as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Al Cohn, Gene Ammons, Lou Levy, Oscar Pettiford, Terry Gibbs, Shelly Manne, and Herbie Steward. Among this band's hits were "Early Autumn," "The Goof and I," and "Four Brothers" (this band was also known as the Four Brothers band).

Related Topics:
Stan Getz - Zoot Sims - Serge Chaloff - Al Cohn - Gene Ammons - Lou Levy - Oscar Pettiford - Terry Gibbs - Shelly Manne - Herbie Steward - Four Brothers

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Herman's many later bands included the Third Herd and the New Thundering Herd. He was known for hiring the best young musicians and using their arrangements. His band's book consequently came to be heavily influenced by rock and roll.

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He continued to perform into the 1980s, chiefly to pay back taxes caused by a band manager in the 1960s. When he became ill and was forced to give up the band, the Internal Revenue Service seized his assets, including his home. While still ill, he picked the leader of the reed section, Frank Tiberi, as his successor. Tiberi leads the band in performances to this day.

Related Topics:
1980s - Frank Tiberi

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