Woody Herman & His Orchestra

From Sensations Of 1945.
Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 -- October 29, 1987), known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders. His bands basically played jazz and blues, often including rather experimental material for their time.
Herman continued to perform into the 1980s, after the death of his wife and his health declining, chiefly to pay back taxes caused by his business manager's bookkeeping in the 1960s. With the added stress, Herman still kept performing. In a December 5, 1985 review of the band at the Blue Note jazz club for The New York Times, John S. Wilson pointed out: "In a one-hour set, Mr. Herman is able to show off his latest batch of young stars — the baritone saxophonist Mike Brignola, the bassist Bill Moring, the pianist Brad Williams, the trumpeter Ron Stout — and to remind listeners that one of his own basic charms is the dry humor with which he shouts the blues." Wilson also spoke about arrangements by Bill Holman and John Fedchock for special attention. Wilson spoke of the continuing influence of Duke Ellington on the Woody Herman bands from the nineteen forties to the nineteen eighties. Before Woody Herman died in 1987 he delegated most of his duties to leader of the reed section, Frank Tiberi leads the current version of the Woody Herman orchestra. Frank Tiberi said at the time of Herman's death that he would not change the band's repertoire or library. Woody Herman was buried in a Catholic funeral, November 2, 1987 in West Hollywood, California.

Concord Music Group's website mentions these awards won by the various Woody Herman orchestras: "Voted best swing band in 1945 Down Beat poll; Silver Award by critics in 1946 and 1947 Esquire polls; won Metronome poll, band division, 1946 and 1953; won NARAS Grammy Award for Encore as best big band jazz album of 1963; won NARAS Grammy Award for Giant Steps as best big band jazz album of 1973. Woody Herman was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Big Band
• Woody Herman

[MARKMANIATT]

Interesting to see the great Cliff Leeman playing drums here just prior to Dave Tough coming in in what became known as the First Herd.Cliff is playing a wartime Slingerland Rolling Bomber kit which incorporated the Rosewood lugs due to the 10% only metal content restriction for wartime instruments.They sound great depite the difficult times.Looks like Vido Musso in the sax section.Great clip!!!

[mrsweavers4]

Thank you for sharing this! Can you tell me what the name of this song is?