Jan Savitt
The birth date of violinist, vocalist, arranger, and bandleader Jan Savitt is in dispute; although his birthday is officially listed as September 4, 1913, Savitt could have been born as early as 1908. Savitt's father played in Tsar Nicholas II's Imperial Regiment Band, and his family came to America in 1914. Savitt played violin as a child, and was invited to join the Philadelphia Orchestra at 15. He studied both in Europe and at the Curtis Institute, and in the '30s formed a string quartet that had a nationally broadcast show. He formed his Top Hatters band in 1937 and began touring in 1938. A child prodigy and accomplished player, his real fame came as a bandleader. His groups were thoroughly practiced and disciplined, with an ensemble sound considered among the finest of the era. Their signature song was "Quaker City Jazz," and they had a big hit with "720 in the Books." Savitt's band included vocalist George Tunnell, who used the name Bon Bon and was one of the first Black singers or instrumentalists to work with a white band. The group had a number of his in the '40s, then made some low-budget films in 1946 and 1947. Savitt died suddenly while on a tour in 1948.
© Ron Wynn /TiVo
Discography
11 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Big Band Classics 1938-1942
Jazz - Released by Stardust Records on 1 apr. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Golden Selection (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Master Tape Records on 9 okt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Big Band Magic
Jazz - Released by The Magic of Music Records on 1 mrt. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters, 1939
Jazz - Released by Hindsight Records on 1 jan. 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Shuffle in Style
Jan Savitt, Jan Savitt Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Jasmine Records on 15 dec. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Horizon
Jazz - Released by Black & Partner Licenses LLC on 19 mrt. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo