Artie Shaw And His Orchestra
The composer and band leader Artie Shaw rose to prominence during the 1930s during the big band era. In 1938, after the release of his version of Cole Porter's 'Begin the Beguine', the clarinettist from New York was launched into the big time. Shaw and his ensemble were suddenly in demand across America and beyond and were frequently performing live radio broadcasts from across the States.
During this period Shaw is reported to have been earning $60,000 a week and during his musical career sold over 100 million records. This golden era was brought to an abrupt halt by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour (which occured during one of Shaw's performances); realising that the world was about to change Shaw broke up the band and enlisted in the navy.
By his own admission he was a difficult man, a characteristic confirmed by his eight marriages. He changed his bands just as often and a job in one of Shaw's many ensembles was inevitably a short term engagement. Shaw was an obsessional perfectionist, a trait which would eventually lead him to give up performing the clarinet not long after he was discharged from the US navy in 1944. He effectively retired from music in 1954 withdrawing from the world of celebrity and began to concentrate on writing books. He eventually retired to live in Europe until returning to the US in the latter part of his life. He died from a diabetes-related illness in 2004 aged 94.
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Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Artie Shaw and His Orchestra - 22 Original Hits Live - The Essential Series
Jazz - Released by Hindsight Records on Jun 13, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Begin the Beguine (The Bluebird Recordings in Chronological Order, Vol. 1 - 1938)
Pop - Released by Jazz Classics on Jan 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Artie Shaw and his Orchestra - Big Bands
Jazz - Released by Bella Musica Edition on Jul 22, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
"1949" - Previously Unreleased Recordings
Jazz - Released by Jazz Heritage Society on Aug 1, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
On the Radio
Traditional Jazz & New Orleans - Released by Grammercy Records on Nov 25, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Great Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Fuel 2000 on Mar 22, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra Featuring Mel Tormé and the Meltones
Jazz - Released by Society Records on Jul 27, 1965
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Hollywood Palladium 1941 (Live)
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Jan 26, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Hollywood 1940-41 Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Jan 30, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Complete Spotlight Band 1945 Broadcasts
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Feb 27, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Los Años del Swing: Artie Shaw
Jazz - Released by Alpha Center Digital on Apr 12, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Begin the Beguine
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Jan 16, 1938
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo