Paul Whiteman (March 28,1890 - Dec.29,1967) was an American orchestral leader.
He was born in Denver, Colorado. After a start as a classical violinist and violist, Whiteman then led a jazz-influenced dance band, which became locally popular in San Francisco, California in 1918. In 1920 he moved his band to New York City where they started making recordings for Victor Records which propelled Whiteman and his band to national prominence. Whiteman became the most popular band leader of the decade. In May 1928, he signed with Columbia Records, only to return to Victor September, 1931, where he stayed until March, 1937.
Whiteman signed Mildred Bailey in 1929 (although she didn't record with Whiteman until 1931). It has been reported in a couple of recent books that Whiteman wanted to hire black musicians back in the late 1920s, but he was talked out of it by his management and record company.
Paul Whiteman Orchestra - Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love (1928)
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