An innovative and restlessly creative force of the swing era, Artie Shaw brought a rare level of classical precision, intellectual curiosity, and harmonic sophistication to big band jazz. Celebrated for his flawless technique, beautiful upper-register tone, and intense artistic independence, Shaw frequently walked away from the music business at the height of his commercial fame to pursue literary and academic endeavors. His willingness to break social barriers by hiring legendary African-American vocalists and his pioneering use of chamber-music instrumentation permanently expanded the structural and sonic possibilities of popular orchestral jazz.
Artie Shaw was the greatest white clarinetist of jazz, save perhaps Benny Goodman. Like Goodman, Shaw was a classically trained musician who excelled at playing other styles of music besides jazz. Shaw had his own orchestra, which rivalled Benny Goodman’s orchestra in popularity during the thirties. Shaw had a huge pop hit with the song “Begin the Beguine” in 1939.
Shaw was born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky in New York City. He faced a great deal of anti-Semitic discrimination during his youth in New Haven, Connecticut, so he anglicized his name to Shaw. During the thirties and forties, Shaw was the rival of fellow clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman.
Shaw’s best work was with the small band he assembled called The Gramercy Five. The Gramercy Five recordings are considered by jazz critics to be among the best jazz recordings ever.
Technical Catalog Spotlight: The Complete Gramercy Five Recordings (1989)
This vital historical document archives the complete chamber-jazz sessions that broke the rigid molds of traditional swing era orchestration. The clean high-fidelity production beautifully highlights the unique integration of a classical harpsichord into a tight jazz rhythm section, providing a crisp, transparent sonic backdrop for Shaw's flawless, soaring clarinet improvisations.
- Released: 1989
- Label: Bluebird Records / RCA Records
- Producer: Frank Driggs
- Core Personnel: Artie Shaw (Clarinet), Johnny Guarnieri (Harpsichord), Billy Butterfield (Trumpet), Al Hendrickson (Guitar)
- Key Tracks: Summit Ridge Drive, Special Delivery Stomp, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Essential recordings by Shaw include the following studio albums and collections: "The Great Artie Shaw” (1959), “This is Artie Shaw” (1971), “The Complete Gramercy Five Recordings” (1989), “The Chronological Classics: Artie Shaw and His Orchestra 1938” (1998), and “The Chronological Classics: Artie Shaw and His Orchestra 1939” (1999).
Technical Catalog Spotlight: The Chronological Classics: Artie Shaw and His Orchestra 1938 (1998)
A meticulously restored archival retrospective documenting the exact moment Shaw ascended to global pop stardom on the strength of his historic Bluebird recording dates. The compilation showcases the sheer power and pristine execution of his big band, preserving the dynamic brass fanfares and syncopated arrangements that captivated a nationwide audience.
- Released: 1998
- Label: Classics Records (France)
- Producer: Gilles Petard
- Core Personnel: Artie Shaw (Clarinet), Chuck Peterson (Trumpet), George Arus (Trombone), Tony Pastor (Tenor Saxophone)
- Key Tracks: Begin the Beguine, Indian Love Call, Back Bay Shuffle
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