Shelly Manne

Shelly Manne was born Sheldon Manne on June 11, 1920 in New York City. His father and uncles were drummers and it was natural for him to become one too. In the late 1930's and 1940's he developed his style in the clubs on 52nd street. His first professional job with a big band was with the Bobby Byrne Orchestra in 1940.

In the late 1940's and 1950's Shelly was part of the Woody Herman Band and then the Stan Kenton Band. In the early 1950's he left New York and settled on a ranch in outlying Los Angeles. From this point on he played an important role in the West Coast school of Jazz.

During the 1960's and early 1970's Manne was part owner of Shelly's Manne Hole, a nightclub in Hollywood. The house band was known as "Shelly Manne and His Men." He was also part of the group known as "The Poll Winners" with Barney Kessel on guitar and Ray Brown on bass. From 1974-77 he was a member of "The L.A. Four" with Laurindo Almeida on guitar, Bud Shank on saxophone and flute, and Ray Brown on bass.

West Coast jazz represented only a small part of Manne's playing. He recorded with musicians from all schools and styles. He became known for his versatility.

Shelly Manne died suddenly of a heart attack on September 26, 1984 in Los Angeles.

Earlier this afternoon I listened to "Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne-Hole vol I" The line up is comprised of Conte Candoli on trumpet, Richie Kamuca on tenor sax, Russ Freeman on piano, Chuck Berhofer on bass and Shelly Manne on drums.

The tunes include "Love For Sale," "How Could it Happen to a Dream," "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," and "The Champ."




Here's a video of Shelly Manne and His Men playing "Speak Low"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gOokrsEAJ6Q