WE REMEMBER ARTIE SHAW: Bandleader among first to hire black musicians and singers.





*Artie Shaw, the clarinetist and bandleader who worked with Billie Holiday at a time when most white bandleaders refused to hire blacks, died Thursday at his home in Thousand Oaks, CA. He was 94.


Shaw had been in declining health for some time and apparently died of natural causes, his attorney and longtime friend Eddie Ezor said. Shaw’s recording of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" epitomized the Big Band era. The song was intended to be the "B" side of the record. Instead, it became a huge hit, topping the charts for six weeks in 1938 and making Shaw famous at age 28.


Way before Biggie vs. Tupac, or even Hilary Duff vs. Lindsay Lohan, there was Artie Shaw vs. clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman. At their peak during the 1930s and ‘40s swing era, the two were considered musical rivals. Once asked about their competitive relationship, Shaw said:


"Benny, who was every bit as dedicated as I was, wanted to be an instrumentalist — he was a superb technician — while I wanted to be a musician. I think my mind was more complex than his."

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R.I.P. Artie

I don't know much of his stuff, if any, but he, Brubeck and Branford Marsalis were the best things in Ken Burns' Jazz.

Mr. Shaw retired at the absolute top of the biz and never looked back. He puts all other so-called "retired-then-unretired-to-grab cash" music stars to shame.

They're droppin' like flies Harley.

"Benny, who was every bit as dedicated as I was, wanted to be an instrumentalist — he was a superb technician — while I wanted to be a musician. I think my mind was more complex than his."

Oooh, what a quote. That's a thread in itself but i'll leave it alone for now.

R.I.P. - Artie.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

namepeace said:

Me neither, other than his mention in Lady Day's biography books(More deeply in "Wishing On The Moon: The Life & Times Of Billie Holiday") and Ken Burns's Jazz film, I can't think of any.

Anyway, I respect Artie's struggle. His childhood wasn't no picnic, I can honestly say that he's one of the very FEW white jazz musicians who were exposed to black people's living at that time, he rubbed elbows with that side of the world.
[Edited 12/31/04 10:48am]

First time a clarinest became a teen idol/sex symbol I think. A real musician for sure.