Richie Beirach, Piano, 1947, New York, N.Y.
As a youth, Richie studied both classical and jazz piano. He attended the Berklee College of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music in New York. His first major gig was with Stan Getz, but his most important early association was with Dave Liebman's group. In the '70s, he was a sideman in Liebman's innovative group, Lookout Farm, playing charts influenced by rock, jazz, and ethnic music. With this group Richie also occasionally played keyboards. When Lookout Farm disbanded in 1976, Richie formed a group of his own, Eon. He was also one of the original sidemen in John Abercrombie's quartet, formed in 1978. The influence of classical composers upon Beirach's work is very evident. He has attempted, with success, to combine jazz with the romantic music of Chopin, Liszt, Schoenberg, and Webern. Richie's ability as a jazz and classical pianist is second to none. To hear him play is a moving xperience.
Artie Shaw, Clarinet, 1910, New York, N.Y.
Artie Shaw grew up in New Haven, Conn. where he studied the saxophone, and in the summer of 1925 became a member of Johnny Cavallaro's dance band. While touring with Cavallaro Artie began to work with the clarinet which eventually became his major instrument. In 1929 Artie toured with the Irving Aaronson band which took him to Chicago where he jammed with locally prominent jazz musicians. At the same time he discovered the music of Debussy, Webern and Stravinsky. Both influences were important in his musical development. Later that year, while in New York, Artie spent a great deal of time in Harlem acquiring his jazz education. He developed a friendship with Willy "The Lion" Smith who became a great jazz influence. In 1937 Shaw formed his first conventional swing band with charts by Jerry Gray, Harry Rogers, and himself. With this group, which briefly included Billy Holiday, Shaw recorded his first big hit, Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine". This marked his breakthrough to public fame and made him a rival to Benny Goodman. Artie really didn't like being a public idol and decided to give up the band. This move brought him even more of the publicity he was trying to avoid. In 1940 while working in the Hollywood film studios, Artie recorded his second big hit, "Frenesi". This hit forced him to organize another big band and start touring again. Within this band Artie formed a small group including Billy Butterfield and Johnny Guarnieri (playing harpsichord), called the Grammercy Five. Shaw, again seeking privacy, dissolved this band, joined the navy,(along with many members of his band) and led a big band in the Pacific theater. During the next decade Artie formed several big bands and small groups primarily for recording. Artie retired in 1954. His clarinet playing has often been compared to that of his rival, Benny Goodman. Though less hot than Goodman, Artie demonstrated superb technical facility, especially on fast and intricate numbers. Artie Shaw will go into the jazz/swing history books as one of the greatest bandleaders of all time. Artie Shaw died in 2004.
Rosemary Clooney, singer, 1928, Maysvillem KY
Rosemary began her professional career singing with her sister, Betty, in Tony Pastor's band during the latter part of the 1940s, and then began working as a soloist in the early '50s. Rosemary signed her first recording contract with Columbia Records and recorded several popular songs which were to became big hits. Some of these hits were "Come On-A My House", "Botcha- Me", "This Old House", and "Hey There". By 1954 she had made her way to Hollywood and was working in films. Her first film, White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Vera Ellen was a smash hit. She and Bing had a life-long friendship that eventually produced such classic collaberations as the concept album, "Fancy Meeting You Here". On the jazz side, Rosemary recorded with Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and The Hi-Los. In the late '70s Rosemary was the biggest singing star with Concord Records, a position she held for many years. Clooney will certainly be remembered as one of the great individual voices of twentieth-century popular music. Rosemary Clooney died in 2002.
