Shaw, Artie (1910-2004), was a famous American bandleader and an outstanding clarinet player during the “swing era” of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Shaw was a prominent soloist and was also a composer who wrote his theme song, “Nightmare” (1938).
Shaw made some of the biggest hit recordings of the swing era, notably his band’s recording of “Begin the Beguine” (1938). Shaw recorded the hit “Frenesi” (1940) with a studio orchestra. Another popular recording was “Summit Ridge Drive” (1940), which Shaw composed. He recorded it with a small group called the Gramercy Five taken from his band. Shaw’s superb technique on the clarinet appear in his recordings of “Star Dust” (1940) and “Concerto for Clarinet” (1940).
Shaw was one of the most adventurous bandleaders of the swing era, sometimes adding string sections to his bands. Through the years, his bands featured a number of important performers, including the singer Billie Holiday, trumpeters Billy Butterfield and Roy Eldridge, tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld, pianist Johnny Guarnieri, and drummer Buddy Rich. Eldridge was featured on Shaw’s hit recording “Little Jazz” (1945).
Shaw’s handsome looks and highly publicized personal life made him a national celebrity. He was married eight times, but each marriage ended in annulment or divorce. His wives included the movie stars Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, and Evelyn Keyes, and the novelist Kathleen Winsor.
Throughout his career, Shaw was uneasy with his enormous popularity. He was also a perfectionist in his music and broke up and reformed several bands, mostly to try new sounds and increase the artistry in his music. Shaw finally retired from music in 1954. He briefly came out of retirement in 1983 as the guest leader of a band that played his music.
Shaw was born on May 23, 1910, in New York City. His real name was Arthur Jacob Arshawsky. He began his music career in 1925 as an alto saxophonist in a dance band. Shaw worked as a free-lance musician in New York City from 1931 to 1936 and formed his first band later in 1936.
Shaw also was an author. He wrote two books of fiction and a highly praised autobiography, The Trouble with Cinderella: An Outline of Identity (1952). Shaw died on Dec. 30, 2004, at the age of 94.
See also Jazz (The swing era) .
