Person Biography:
Artie Shaw was a renowned American clarinetist, composer, and bandleader, known for his technical excellence and perfectionism. Born in 1910, Shaw began playing the ukulele at the age of ten and later switched to the alto saxophone at twelve. He formed his first band, the Bellevue Ramblers, in his teens and went on to play with various local bands in Florida and Ohio, honing his skills as an arranger and tenor sax player.
Shaw arrived in New York in 1929 and quickly established himself as a talented musician, participating in numerous recording sessions and earning a reputation for his technical prowess. He was a self-critical perfectionist, often rehearsing for countless hours to achieve his desired sound.
In 1936, Shaw formed his first band, featuring a string quartet, but was unhappy with the result and disbanded it. The following year, he set up a full-size conventional swing orchestra, which achieved great success with hits like "Begin the Beguine" and "Yesterdays."
Shaw's band was known for its technical excellence and innovative arrangements, featuring a mix of jazz greats and top-notch singers. He was also known for his unconventional approach to fame, eschewing publicity and rarely doing encores.
Shaw's personal life was marked by tumultuous relationships, including eight marriages to actresses such as Ava Gardner and Lana Turner. He eventually turned to writing, authoring a novel about his failed marriages and even attempting to write a novel about three failed marriages.
In his later years, Shaw came out of retirement on rare occasions, including a 1992 concert in London, where some of his music was performed by Bob Wilber. Despite his ups and downs, Shaw remains one of the most celebrated clarinetists of all time, known for his unique sound and unwavering dedication to his craft.
