Artie Shaw (born May 23, 1910, New York, New York, U.S.—died December 30, 2004, Newbury Park, California) was an American clarinettist and popular bandleader of the 1930s and ’40s. He was one of the few outstanding jazz musicians whose commitment to jazz was uncertain.
Shaw began playing in high school and turned professional in 1925. The first signs of indecision became apparent in the early 1930s, when he retired from music for a year. In 1935, at a New York swing concert, he played one of his own compositions accompanied by a string quartet. A jazz and dance band with a string section followed, but in 1937 he re-formed his band along more conventional lines and a year later became internationally known through his recording of Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine.” A string of hits followed, and Shaw’s popularity came to rival that of clarinettist Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing.” By this time Shaw had become known for his mercurial behaviour and perfectionism. He was harshly critical of himself and of the music business.
From 1939 Shaw lived alternately in Mexico and the United States, experimenting occasionally with small jazz combos that he called the Gramercy Five regardless of membership. While several public comebacks followed, including leadership of a U.S. Navy orchestra (1943–44), he dissociated himself from jazz almost totally after 1954 and did not play the clarinet again, although in 1983 he led a re-formed Artie Shaw Orchestra. He later worked as a farmer, theatre producer, and author. Among his writings are the three short novels collected in I Love You, I Hate You, Drop Dead! (1965) and the revealing autobiography The Trouble with Cinderella (1952). Shaw was married eight times, with actresses Lana Turner and Ava Gardner among his wives.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Artie-Shaw
CONCERTO FOR CLARINET
Concerto for Clarinet is a composition for clarinet and jazz orchestra by Artie Shaw. The piece ends with a “legendary” altissimo C.
The piece is a “pastiche thrown together out of some boogie-woogie blues, clarinet-over-tom tom interludes, a commonplace riff build-up towards the end, all encased in opening and closing virtuoso cadenzas for the leader’s clarinet”.
Shaw and his orchestra performed the piece in the Fred Astaire film Second Chorus (1940), in which Shaw played himself.
Hear Artie Shaw performing his Concerto for Clarinet here:
Concerto For Clarinet (Shaw) by Artie Shaw & his Orchestra Spread over two sides of a 12-inch 78 disc, this extended number was also performed by Shaw and his band in the Paramount film “Second Chorus,” which starred Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard.
On October 6 1949, Jack Harrison played the first performance in W.A. of the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto with the Jazz Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Nugent Haywood at the Capitol Theatre.
JAZZ SYMPHONY OF 1949
CAPITOL THEATRE
THURSDAY, OCT. 6 1949
(One Night Only).
1949’s BIGGEST MUSICAL SHOW
Surprise Exclusive Engagement of Australia’s Topline Film, Radio Actor and Producer Star of “Overlanders” Film, Founder and First Conductor of Perth Symphony Orchestra
JOHN NUGENT HAYWARD
Conducting
THE JAZZ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN GERSHWIN’S “RHAPSODY IN BLUE”
Featuring LOUISE D’ARCY – A.B.C. Concerto SOLOIST.
HUGE LINE-UP OF THE STATE’S BEST PROFESSIONALS ! ! !
SAMMY SHARP’S JAZZ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA of 28 Leading Musicians.
ALBERT CHAPPELLE Dramatic Baritone in W.A.’s first presentation of the famous “SOLILOQUY” with Orchestra.
JACKIE HARRISON First Performance in W.A. of the thrilling ARTIE SHAW “CONCERTO FOR CLARINET” with Orchestra.
PHYLLIS FROST Sensational Blind B.B.C. Singer.
CLIFF ADAMS and “NIDDY” ROBERTS hilarious Comedy Duo.
“SOPHISTICATED LADIES” STRING ENSEMBLE All-femme String ensemble heard with success over A.B.C.
PETER HARRISON Well-known Radio Personality and Announcer, also prominent “Old'” Jazz Authority.
HARRY BLUCK Producer who successfully directed the “Jazz Symphony of 1948”, “Jazz Jamboree,” “Battle of Bands” and other successes.
ADMISSION – 3/-, 4/-, 5/- (plus tax)
BOX PLAN AT NICHOLSONS.
BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT. [1]
1950
REHEARSAL FOR SAMMY SHARP’S JAZZ FANTASIA
Saturday September 16 1950
(photo) from left to right: Jack Harrison, Jim Beeson, Betty Wittaker, Sammy Sharp and Keith Whittle. [2]
“JAZZ FANTASIA”
October 1 1950
The Young Australia League – will present Sammy Sharp and his orchestra of 25 in the third annual Jazz Fantasia at the Capitol Theatre on October 1. Supporting artists will include Louise D’Arcy, Jack Harrison, Betty Whittaker, Bryn Gifford, Phyllis Frost and Keith Hounslow. The compere will be Peter Harrison. [3]
A BLITZ IN MUSIC WILL FOLLOW THE BAND
The Young Australia League band will march through the city as a prelude to Perth’s third Jazz Fantasia at the Capitol Theatre on Sunday, October 1. Sammy Sharp and his Jazz Symphony Orchestra, with many supporting artists will provide the programme at the theatre. One of the featured works will be a performance of London Fantasia, with pianist Louise Darcy as soloist. It is a musical story of the spirit of London during the blitz. Other artists will include: clarinettist Jackie Harrison; a State finalist in the concerto and vocal competition this year, Phyllis Frost; a blind singer who has been featured with Claude Brampton’s All Blind Orchestra in London; and Betty Whittaker, star of the Repertory Club’s Maritza. The show will be produced by Sammy Sharp and compered by Peter Harrison and Terry Scanlon. [4]
CAPITOL THEATRE
Sunday, October 1st
Y.A.L. Presents
“JAZZ FANTASIA”
With SAMMY SHARP and his 25-piece Jazz Symphony Orchestra.
Comperes; TERRY SCANLAN, compere Ice Follies (by courtesy David N. Martin, Mgr. Dr. Tiv. Circuit Aust. Pty. Ltd.); PETER HARRISON (by courtesy A.B.C.).
Guest Artists Include
LOUISE D’ARCY. Soloist of “London Fantasia”
Jackie Harrison in “Clarinet Concerto”
and Betty Whittaker, Bryn Gifford, Phyllis Prost, Jimmy Beeson.
SAMMY SHARP will be featured in Harry James’s arrangement of “Concerto for Trumpet.” Prices 5/ 4/ 3/ plus tax. Box plan at Nicholsons. [5]
Hear Jack Harrison performing Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet here:
SPECIAL DELIVERY STOMP
Recording Date: September 3, 1940, at RCA Victor Studios in Hollywood, California.
Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five.
Released in October 1940 on Victor 26762.
The track famously features Shaw on clarinet alongside Johnny Guarnieri on harpsichord, Billy Butterfield on trumpet, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Jud DeNaut on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums.
January 1948
Harrison family Again
Sixteen-year-old Musician to give further broadcast
Western Australia was represented last week in “National Fair” from 6IX-WB-MD by twins, Jack and Jill Harrison and elder brother Ray. The Harrison family was put up as the best musical family in Australia. Jack Harrison, the 16 year old lad who played both the saxophone and clarinet, was such a success that the producers asked him to put up another challenge, so he is again appearing in the programme next Wednesday as the best clarinettist in Australia.
Jack will again be accompanied by his twin Jill on the piano, and his brother Ray on the drums. This time Jack will be playing the clarinet only. His item will be “Special Delivery Stomp” one of Artie Shaw’s favourites.
So far this is the first time two challenges have been put up by the same person. The West Australian selectors hope that this challenge is unbeatable, but listeners can decide that for themselves when they hear what the other States can produce to take up this challenge.
The other five states also will be presenting their “exhibits” on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock, some again challenging and others answering challenges previously set. If anyone who knows of anything or anybody who could possibly be used as an “exhibit” in “National Fair”, he or she is asked to communicate with W.A. Broadcasters Ltd., Lyric House, Perth. [6]
[1] The West Australian Friday 30 September 1949 page 37
[2] The Broadcaster Saturday September 16 1950
[3] The West Australian Tuesday 19 September 1950 page 12
[4] The Daily News Thursday 21 September 1950 page 12
[5] The West Australian Wednesday 27 September 1950 page 37
[6] The Broadcaster Saturday January 17 1948 Vol. 14, No. 720