Ben Pollack and his Californians, Benny Goodman - 'Deed I Do (1927)

Ben Pollack (June 22, 1903 - June 7, 1971) was a drummer and bandleader from the mid 1920s through the swing era. His eye for talent led him to either discover or employ, at one time or another, musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland and Harry James. This ability earned him the nickname "Father of Swing".

Born in Chicago, Illinois to a well-to-do family, Pollack was largely self taught as a drummer, and was afforded the opportunity to become the drummer for the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, a top jazz outfit, in the early '20s. In 1924 he played for several outfits, including some on the west coast, which ultimately led to his forming a band there in 1925. One of the earliest members of his band was Gil Rodin, a saxophonist whose sharp business acumen served him well later as an executive for the Music Corporation of America (MCA). Rodin also served as the "straw boss' for Pollack along with the young arranger-trombonist Glenn Miller. Already recognized as immensely talented on the clarinet, sixteen-year-old Benny Goodman began working with Pollack in 1925 as well.

In 1926, Pollack recorded for Victor. Many of his records were good sellers. From about 1928, with involvement with Irving Mills, members of Pollack's band moonlighted at Plaza-ARC and recorded a vast quantity of hot dance and out-and-out jazz for their dime store labels (Banner, Perfect, Domino, Cameo, Lincoln, Romeo, and others using colorful names like Mills' Merry Makers, Goody's Good Timers, Kentucky Grasshoppers, Mills' Musical Clowns, The Lumberjacks, Dixie Daises, The Caroliners, The Whoopee Makers, The Hotsy Totsy Gang, Dixie Jazz Band, and Jimmy Bracken's Toe Ticklers, and many others. Most of these records are usually listed in discographical books (like Brian Rust's Jazz Records as by Irving Mills. The rare Jack Teagarden's Music book lists them properly as being a "Ben Pollack Unit". Combining Pollack's regular recordings with these side groups made Pollack one of the more prolific bands of the 1920s and 1930's.


Ben Pollack and his Californians, Benny Goodman - 'Deed I Do (1927)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ben
• Pollack
• Benny
• Goodman
• 1927
• 20's
• 30's

[planejet42]

This music was so great! Today's music is nothing compared to this stuff! May this type of music live on forever!

[kevinherbert]

Gr8 post......

[TCDS75]

Preciosa, amable, elegante ........... César

[cowboycartoonist]

Ben Pollack started this band in 1925, bringing in 16 yr.old Benny Goodman (solo at 2:35); 21 yr.old Glenn Miller (solo at 2:17); Jack Teagarden; Fud Livingston; Harry James; Mel Torme and many others who all went on to pioneer the big band jazz era. My uncle, MGM arranger Wayne Allen (piano & arranger in Ben's band '25-'27, rooming with Benny & Glenn) said Pollack & his 'right hand man', Gil Rodin, were instrumental in rounding up what became the premier "arranged jazz" band of the century.

[78timothy]

Lest we forget another Pseudonym "Gil Rodin and his Orch." I have the recording of "Little White Lies" on Conqueror. Rodin's solo on this beginning at 1:59 makes his sound quite noticeable. He played a low pitched Eb Alto Sax, probably w/a #3 Reed. Very thick sounding. When you hear this in the Band during this time, it's almost certain that no matter the label, It's a Pollack. In around 1935, it was Rodin that was instrumental in replacing Pollack w/Bob Crosby - becoming the Bob Crosby Orch.

[ultravioletta1983]

Wow, it's beautiful, very sweet!