Artie Shaw - Traffic Jam 1939
Rated by many as the finest clarinetist of the swing era, Artie Shaw formed his own band in 1936 after stints with Irving Aaronson, Red Nichols, Vincent Lopez and Roger Wolfe Kahn. Thanks to the arrangements of Jerry Gray, Artie Shaw's band became the hottest act in town within two years, although Artie, never comfortable with stardom, frequently disbanded the group only to reassemble it later. "Begin the Beguine," his biggest hit (it hit number one for six weeks in 1938 was later voted the third best record of all time). "Traffic Jam" is perhaps his best known tune. This clip is from ""Dancing Coed" (1939). As was the usual practice, the band recorded the tune at MGM's studios ahead of production; and, the scene was filmed while the recording was played back. Band credits follow the song.
About Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw (born May 23, 1910, New York City, New York, USA - died December 30, 2004, Thousand Oaks, California, USA) was an American clarinetist and bandleader. His first public appearance leading his own band was in his native New York City on the 24th of May, 1936 and he became one of the biggest names in jazz and popular music during the late 1930's and 1940's swing heyday. He last toured as a performing clarinetist with a big band in 1950, and made his last live / public performing appeara...
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