Woody Herman

Woody Herman was born Woodrow Charles Thomas Herman on May 16, 1913 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child he worked as a singer in Vaudeville and at the age of fifteen he was playing saxophone as a professional. He performed with the Tom Gerun Band, Harry Sosnick Band, Gus Arnheim Band, and Isham Jones. When Jones retired to live off royalties, Woody took over his band.

Herman's first recording was "Wintertime Blues" on November 6, 1936 for the Decca label. His first hit was "Woodchoppers Ball" in 1939.

In February 1945, the band signed with Columbia Records. This was the time of the "First Herd." On February 26, 1945  the band recorded "Caldonia." In 1946, the band won the Downbeat, Metronome, Billboard, and Esquire polls for best band. After this Woody disbanded his band to spend more time with his wife and family.

In 1947, Herman formed the "Second Herd," which was also known as the "Four Brothers Band." On December 27, 1947 the band recorded "Four Brothers" written by Jimmy Giuffre. the four brothers were Zoot Sims, Herbie Stewart, and Stan Getz on tenor saxophones, and Serge Chaloff on baritone sax.

Herman's other bands include the "Third Herd" from 1950-1956 and the "New Thundering Herd" from 1959-1987. He continued to perform into the 1980's despite the death of his wife and his own declining health.He was awarded the Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1987.

Woody Herman died on October 29, 1987 in West Hollywood, California.

I just finished listening to one of my favorite live Herman recordings. It is "Big New Herd at the Monterey Jazz Festival." Woody leads an all-star band at this 1959 festival. The line-up includes Woody on clarinet; Zoot Sims, Don Lanphere, Bill Perkins, and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxes; Med Flory on baritone sax; Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Bill Chase, and Ray Linn on tumpets; Urbie Green and Si Zentner on trombones; Victor Feldman on piano and vibes; Charlie Byrd on guitar; Monty Budwig on bass; and Mel Lewis on drums.

The tunes include "Four Brothers," "Like Some Blues Man," "Skoobeedoobee," "Monterey Apple Tree," "Skylark," and "The Magpie."



Here's a video of Woody and his band playing "Four Brothers."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUhnGNHQEFA&feature=player_detailpage