Music: the Great Unifier
Artie Shaw was a first-generation American, born in Baltimore to Jewish parents from eastern Europe in 1910. His family moved to New Haven, Connecticut, when Artie was four years old. Growing up in New Haven in the years surrounding World War I, Artie felt the ugly and perplexing sting of Antisemitism. He wrote about it in his autobiography, The Trouble with Cinderella. Naturally, being discriminated against was confusing to him as a child, and it embittered him throughout his adult life. But, his father would often remind him that, unfair and hurtful though it was, the situation was far better for the family than it had been in the former Russian Empire, where "things were not too good for the Jews."
But in early 20th Century America, minorities didn't protest in the streets demanding change; they kept quiet, and flew "under the radar" to the greatest extent possible. After all, women had just won the right to vote in 1920. And, though limited by comparison to the white, Christian community, the lot of American Jews was still, in many ways, better than that of Blacks and others of color. Artie's parents were able to shrug and say, "It could be worse." But he never could.
Artie Shaw's name doesn't come up when people discuss civil rights pioneers. But, in his own way, he made a difference. In 1938, his was the first "name" band to employ a Black vocalist - Billie Holiday. Her presence on the bandstand, seated in an evening gown next to Helen Forrest (who was Jewish), did more than raise eyebrows. It sparked open conflict between Shaw and many of the venue operators, who insisted that Billie appear on the stand only to sing her songs, and then disappear until called on again. Hotel ballroom and restaurant bosses demanded that she enter and exit the facilities through the kitchen or side entrance to protect the "sensibilities" of their patrons. And when management refused to let Billie stay at the hotels where the band was engaged, Shaw invariably took up her cause, even cancelling bookings in protest. After a year or so, Billie quit the band, acknowledging that it was an unwinnable uphill battle. Although she was grateful beyond measure for his support, she felt it was unfair to Artie and the rest of the band for her to continue.
Artie Shaw was a man who found it impossible to work on any but his own terms. He chose his sidemen based solely on talent and temperament, without regard for their ethnicity or background. He willingly went through many of the same battles over his associations with trumpeter Roy Eldridge, saxist/arranger Teddy McRae,, and others. And when you hear the music his band made, you get it. Artie understood that human nature changes incrementally, and he took his satisfaction in knowing that he had made his choices based on what was best for his band, and best for the music. In hindsight, we can see now that he did more than employ some talented people and make some quality music; he had moved the needle.
We will open this week's In the Mood with a sampling of the Artie Shaw band's most memorable sides, and I think it will be obvious to one and all why he was given the nickname, "The King of the Clarinet." But he was more than just a talented and successful musician; he was a man of integrity who lived his values.
Hour 2 starts off in a different direction, but one that you will find every bit as musically satisfying. We will spend a little more than 20 minutes savoring the sweet and utterly danceable sounds of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. Hailing from London, Ontario, this family-run band was a mainstay of the sweet-music scene for over fifty years.
To me, Guy Lombardo was something of a miracle worker. He not only led a very successful Big Band for over half a century, working right up to the time of his death at age 75, but he did it working with his family. Now, I realize that some people might not find that terribly remarkable. But there are many others, and you know who you are, who would rather spend their lives swimming with piranhas. The Royal Canadians was a band made up of six family members and six to eight "outsiders," with even more family members filling various administrative roles behind the curtain and offstage. Guy's younger brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor all played in the band; baby sister Rose Marie was one of the band's vocalists. Kenny Gardner, another of the band's singers, was married to one of the non-musical sisters. And yet another sister worked in the band's management office. Brother Victor (the youngest of the musical brothers) was frequently a thorn in Guy's side, clamoring for more authority and independence, and repeatedly quitting the band to start one of his own, only to return a few months later after his band crashed and burned. Guy welcomed him back into the fold time after time.
Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians was one of the most successful musical franchises of the 20th Century. Their New Year's Eve broadcasts, first on radio from 1927, and then television beginning in 1954, were a North American tradition. So indelible, in fact, was the Lombardo imprint on New Year;s Eve, historians now acknowledge that he is personally responsible for the fact that we celebrate the holiday with the song Auld Lang Syne to this very day. It was Guy's choice as the band's traditional Midnight Song every year.
So, we will enjoy some of this history-making band's biggest and most dance-worthy hits this week, including Humoresque, Enjoy Yourself, the Blue Skirt Waltz. and the mega-hit The Third Man Theme. Does this band swing? No. Will you mind? Not at all!
Additionally, this week's program delivers a sumptuous array of dancers' delicacies, including hits by Bunny Berigan, Charlie Barnet, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and more. Crosby will croon, Woody will woodshed, the Mills Brothers will harmonize, Goodman will Swing into Spring, and Ralph Flanagan will drop by to personally introduce one of his band's earliest hits.
Don't even THINK about missing this show! As always, I'll be there to conduct you through it all with my usual grace and aplomb(!) My only hope is that you will call a young band student you know and invite them to listen to the show with you. Our young players NEED to hear this music!
So, leave us a comment or request, either here, or on our Facebook Page. Remember to be good to one another this week, and above all,
Keep Swinging!
Scott
No comments:
Post a Comment