Woody Herman
Source:
Jazz Wax
Born on 16 May 1913 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, clarinetist and sax player, Woody Herman, sang and danced on vaudeville as a child before picking up clarinet at age twelve. He first recorded as one of a vocal trio on February 3, 1930, with Tom Gerunovitch (Gerun) in Chicago toward issue on Brunswick 4755: 'Atta Boy'. Woody worked with the Tom Gerun Orchestra for several years, also singing vocals on 'Lonesome Me' in 1932.
'Atta Boy' Woody Herman singing w the Tom Gerun Orchestra
3 Feb 1930 in Chicago Matrix C-5360-B Brunswick 4755
Composition: Billy Moll / Tommy Christian
'Lonesome Me' Woody Herman singing w the Tom Gerun Orchestra
1 August 1932 in Chicago Brunswick 6364
Composition: Fats Waller / Con Conrad / Andy Razaf
Herman's first employment in a major band was that of Isham Jones, first recording with Jones on April 29, 1935 per radio transcriptions in New York City. He remained with Jones into 1936, then made his debut recordings as a band leader in New York City on November 6, 1936, with per 'Wintertime Dreams' on Decca 1056 and 'Someone to Care for Me' on Decca 1057.
'Because of Once Upon a Time' Woody Herman w the Isham Jones Orchestra
29 April 1935 in NYC See Rumbleseat 103 (LP 1975) / Viper's Nest VN156 (CD 1994)
Trumpet: Johnny Carlson / Clarence Willard / Chelsea Quealey
Trombone: Sonny Lee / Wendell deLory
Clarinet / alto sax: Victor Hauprich / Don Watt
Clarinet / tenor sax: Woody Herman (baritone) / Maynard "Saxie" Mansfield
Piano: Howard Smith Guitar: George Wartner
Violin: Eddie Stone / Nick Hupfer / Vince Allotta
Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Walter Lageson
Music: Harry Stride / Bernard Maltin Lyrics: Joe Young
'Wintertime Dreams' Woody Herman Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
29 April 1935 in NYC See Rumbleseat 103 (LP 1975) / Viper's Nest VN156 (CD 1994)
Trumpet: Clarence Willard / Kermit Simmons
Flugelhorn: Joe Bishop Trombone: Neal Reid
Clarinet / alto sax: Woody Herman (vocal) / Murray Williams / Don Watt
Tenor sax: Maynard "Saxie" Mansfield / Bruce Wilkins
Piano: Horace Diaz or Norman Sherman Guitar: Chick Reeves
Violin: Nick Hupfer Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Frank Carlson
Composition: Felix Bernard / Al Bryan
Herman's first orchestra of 1936 became generally known as the Band that Plays the Blues until 1944 when he put together his First Herd. In the meantime he began to populate the higher tiers of the Billboard charts when 'I Double Dare You' reached #18 in 1937 [Music VF]. His initial title to attain a Top Ten rank (my convention) was 'At the Woodchopper's Ball' in 1939. He topped the charts at #1 with 'Blues in the Night' ('My Mama Done Tol' Me') in 1941, that his overall best-selling title [TsorT]. The list below represents Herman's sixteen Top Ten releases from 1939 to 1948:
At the Woodchopper's Ball #9 1939
Herman's orchestra wasn't originally named the First Herd. He didn't begin to call it his Herd until 1944 upon a review in 'Metronome Magazine' in which George T. Simon referred to his band as the Thundering Herd [Tomkins / 1964]. The First Herd was a progressive ensemble blending swing with bebop. While Herman was yet directing his Herd he formed a smaller ensemble called the Woodchoppers in 1938 which put away 'River Bed Blues' in December.
'River Bed Blues' Woody Herman and His Woodchoppers
22 Dec 1938 in NYC 1 of 2 takes both issued on Decca 2629
Flugelhorn: Joe Bishop
Clarinet / alto sax: Woody Herman (vocal)
Piano: Tommy Linehan Guitar: Hy White
Violin: Nick Hupfer Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Frank Carlson
Composition: Hyman White
'Woodchopper's Ball' Woody Herman and His Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
12 April 1929 in NYC 1 of 2 takes both issued on Decca 2440
Arrangement: Joe Bishop Composition: Joe Bishop / Woody Herman
'Golden Wedding' Woody Herman Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
Aka 'La Cinquantaine' ('The Fiftieth Anniversary')
9 Nov 1940 in NYC 68328-A Decca 3436
Trumpet: Steady Nelson / Bob Price / Cappy Lewis
Flugelhorn: Joe Bishop Trombone: Neal Reid / Bud Smith
Alto sax: Woody Herman (clarinet) / Murray Williams / Don Watt
Tenor sax: Maynard "Saxie" Mansfield / Mickey Folus
Piano: Tommy Linehan Guitar: Hy White
Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Frank Carlson Arrangement: James "Jiggs" Noble
Composition: Jean Gabriel-Marie 1887
'Blue Flame' Woody Herman Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
13 Feb 1941 in NYC Matrix 68697-B Decca 25151 (1947)
(Matrix 68697-A issued on Decca 3643 to chart on Billboard at #5 in 1941)
Composition: James "Jiggs" Noble
'Blues in the Night' ('My Mama Done Tol' Me')
Woody Herman Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
10 Sep 1941 in Los Angeles Matrix DLA-2746-A Decca 4030 Billboard #1
Vocal: Herman
Composition: Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen For the film 'Blues in the Night' 1941
'Down Under' Woody Herman Orchestra (The Band that Plays the Blues)
24 July 1942 in Los Angeles L-3125-A Decca 18544
Trumpet: Chuck Peterson / Billie Rogers / George Seaburg / Cappy Lewis
Trombone: Neal Reid / Tommy Farr / Walter Nimms
Alto sax: Woody Herman (clarinet) / Jimmy Horvath / Sam Rubinowitch
Tenor sax: Pete Mondello / Mickey Folus
Piano: Tommy Linehan Guitar: Hy White
Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Frank Carlson Arrangement: Dizzy Gillespie
Composition: Dizzy Gillespie
'Laura' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's (First) Herd
19 Feb 1945 in NYC CO 34288-2 Columbia 36785
Vocal: Woody Herman
Composition: David Raksin 1944 for the film 'Laura'
'Bijou' ('Rhumba a la Jazz') Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's (First) Herd
20 Aug 1945 in NYC CO 35106-1 Columbia 36861
Trumpet: Chuck Peterson / Billie Rogers / George Seaburg / Cappy Lewis
Trombone: Neal Reid / Tommy Farr / Walter Nimms
Alto sax: Woody Herman (clarinet) / Jimmy Horvath / Sam Rubinowitch
Tenor sax: Pete Mondello / Mickey Folus
Piano: Tommy Linehan Guitar: Hy White
Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Frank Carlson Arrangement: Dizzy Gillespie
Composition: Dizzy Gillespie
Albeit Herman's First Herd was a phenomenal success he retired it in 1946 to be with his family, then formed his Second Herd the next year also known as his Four Brothers Band. The Four Brothers Band got its name from its saxophone section of Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Herbie Steward and Stan Getz who play in that order on the track below.
'Summer Sequence' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's Second Herd
Aka Four Brothers Band
Parts 1-3: 19 Sep 1946 in Los Angeles HCO 2044-1 - HCO 2046-1
Part 4: 27 Dec 1947 in Hollywood HCO 3062-1
Issues: Parts 1 & 2: Columbia 38365 Parts 3 & 4: Columbia 38367
Composition: Ralph Burns
This album
'Four Brothers' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's Second Herd
Aka Four Brothers Band
27 Dec 1947 in NYC HCO 3061-1 Columbia 38304
Trumpet: Stan Fishelson / Bernie Glow / Marky Markowitz / Shorty Rogers / Ernie Royal
Trombone: Earl Swope / Ollie Wilson / Bob Swift (bass) Clarinet: Woody Herman
Alto sax: Sam Marowitz Tenor sax: Herbie Steward / Stan Getz / Zoot Sims
Baritone sax: Serge Chalof Piano: Ralph Burns Guitar: Gene Sargent
Bass: Walter Yoder Drums: Don Lamond Arrangement: Jimmy Giuffre
Composition: Jimmy Giuffre
Herman's Third Herd followed from 1950 to 1956.
'Terrissita' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's Third Herd
1952 Mars M-100
Composition: Ralph Burns
It was 31 July and 1 August 1959 when Herman scratched tracks in NYC toward the album, 'The Fourth Herd' issued on Sesac N-3101/02. Come the Big New Herd long enough for the Monterey Jazz Festival on 2 and 3 October of 1959 released on Atlantic SD 1328 in 1960.
'Panatela' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's Fourth Herd
From the album 'The Fourth Herd'
Album recorded 31 July/1 Aug 1959 in NYC Sesac Recordings N-3101/02
Cornet: Nat Adderley
Trumpet: Ernie Royal / Reginald Jones / Irving Markowitz / Red Rodney / Bernie Glow / Burt Collins
Trombone: Bob Brookmayer / Jim Dahl / Jimmy Cleveland / Frank Rehak
Clarinet: Woody Herman
Sax: Al Cohn / Sam Marowitz / Don Lanphere / Dick Hafer / Gene Allen / Zoot Sims
Piano: Nat Pierce Guitar: Barry Galbraith Vibes: Eddie Costa
Bass: Milt Hinton Drums: Don Lamond
Composition: Jimmy Giuffre
This album
'Like Some Blues, Man' Woody Herman Orchestra Herman's Big New Herd
From the album 'Big New Herd'
Recorded 3 Oct 1959 at the Monterey Jazz Festival in CA Atlantic SD 1328
Trumpet: Frank Huggins / Conte Candoli / Al Porcino / Ray Linn / Bill Chase
Trombone: Urbie Green / Si Zentner / Bill Smiley
Clarinet: Woody Herman
Tenor sax: Don Lanphere (alto) / Zoot Sims / Bill Perkins / Richie Kamuca
Baritone sax: Med Flory Piano: Victor Feldman (vibes) Guitar: Charlie Byrd
Bass: Monty Budwig Drums: Mel Lewis
Composition: Jimmy Giuffre
This album
'After You've Gone' Woody Herman Orchestra
From the album 'Woody Herman: 1964'
Album recorded 20-23 Nov 1963 in NYC Philips PHM-200-118
Trumpet: Bill Chase / Billy Hunt / Danny Nolan / Gerry Lamy / Paul Fontaine
Trombone: Ken Wenzel / Phil Wilson / Henry Southall
Clarinet / Alto sax: Woody Herman
Tenor sax: Sal Nistico / Carmen Leggio / Jack Stevens
Baritone sax: Nick Brignola Piano: Nat Pierce
Bass: Chuck Andrus Drums: Jake Hanna
Composition: Turner Layton / Henry Creamer
This album
'Sister Sadie' Woody Herman and His Swingin' Herd Television
1964 England
Trumpet: Bill Chase / Paul Fontaine / Billy Hunt / Danny Nolan / Gerald Lamy
Trombone: Henry Southall / Phil Wilson / Kenny Wenzel
Tenor sax: Gary Klein / Sal Nistico / Joe Romano
Baritone sax: Tommy Anastas Piano: Nat Pierce
Bass: Chuck Andrus Drums: Jake Hanna
Composition: Horace Silver 1959
Herman formed his first Young Thundering Herd in 1970. The purpose of his Young Thundering Herds was to make opportunity for inexperienced musicians, a project which he maintained throughout the rest of his career. His New Thundering Herd recorded 'The 40Th Anniversary Carnegie Hall Concert' in November of 1976.
'Lazy Bird' Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd
From the album 'Thundering Herd'
Album recorded 2-5 Jan 1974 in Berkeley CA Fantasy F9452
Flugelhorn: Tony Klatka
Trumpet: Dave Stahl / Buddy Powers / Bill Stapleton / Tony Klatka / Bill Byrne
Trombone: Jim Pugh / Steve Kohlbacher / Harold Garrett
Clarinet / sax: Woody Herman / Frank Tiberi
Tenor sax / flute: Gregory Herbert (piccolo)/ Gary Anderson
Baritone sax: Jan Konopasek Piano: Andy Laverne
Bass: Chip Jackson Drums: Ron Davis
Conga: Richard Dollarhids Percussion: Johnny Rae
Composition: John Coltrane
This album
'The New Thundering Herd' Woody Herman and His New Thundering Herd
40th anniversary Carnegie Hall concert
Album recorded 20 Nov 1976 in NYC RCA Victor BGL2-2203
Trumpet: Allen Vizzutti / Nelson Hatt / John Hoffman / Dennis Dotson / Bill Byrne / Danny Stiles
Trombone: Jim Pugh / Dale Kirkland / Jim Daniels (bass)
Clarinet / sax: Woody Herman (alto sax) / Frank Tiberi / Gary Anderson
Tenor sax / flute: Frank Tiberi / Gary Anderson / Joe Lovano / John Oslawski
Baritone sax: Jan Konopasek Piano: Pat Coil Guitar: Billy Bauer
Bass: Rusty Holloway / Chubby Jackson Drums: Ron Davis / Don Lamond? / Jake Hanna
Featuring:
Trumpet: Pete Candoli / Conte Candoli Trombone: Phil Wilson
Tenor sax: Flip Phillips / Jimmy Giuffre / Stan Getz / Al Cohn / Zoot Sims
Piano: Nat Pierce / Ralph Burns / Jimmy Rowles Trombone: Phil Wilson
Vocals: Mary Ann McCall
This album
'Things Ain't What They Used to Be' Woody Herman and His Big Band
From the album 'Live at The Concord Jazz Festival'
Album recorded 15 Aug 1981 at the Pavilion in Concord CA Concord Jazz CJ191
Flugelhorn: Bill Stapleton / George Rabbai
Trumpet: Bill Stapleton / Brian O'Flaherty / Scott Wagstaff / Mark Lewis / George Rabbai
Trombone: Gene Smith / John Fedchock / Larry Shunk
Clarinet / sax: Woody Herman (alto / soprano)
Flute: Paul McGinley / Randy Russell / Billy Ross (piccolo)
Tenor sax: Paul McGinley / Randy Russell / Billy Ross / Al Cohn / Stan Getz
Bass clarinet / baritone sax: Mike Brignola Keyboards: John Oddo
Bass: Mike Hall Drums: Dave Ratajczak Arrangement: Dave LaLama
Composition: Mercer Ellington
This album
'Woody's Gold Star' Woody Herman and His Big Band
From the album 'Woody's Gold Star' Herman's final recordings
Album recorded 3 March 1987 at the Willows Theater in Concord CA Concord Jazz CJ330
Trumpet: John Fedchock (arrangement)
Trombone: Paul McKee / Joe Baradi
Clarinet / soprano sax: Woody Herman Flute: Dave Riekenberg
Tenor sax: Frank Tiberi / Jerry Pinter / Dave Riekenberg
Baritone sax: Mike Brignola Piano: Joel Weiskopf
Bass: Dave Carpenter Drums: Dave Miller Arrangement: John Fedchock
Composition: John Fedchock
This album
Herman died in West Hollywood on 29 October 1987 [obit]. His autobiography, 'The Woodchopper's Ball', was published by E.P. Dutton in 1990 with the assistance of Stuart Troup.
Sources & References for Woody Herman:
VF History (notes)
Audio of Herman: Internet Archive
Herman's Bands (incomplete):
Band that Plays the Blues (1936-43): Big Band Spotlight Wikipedia
First Herd (1944-46)
Second Herd (aka Four Brothers Band / 1947-69)
Young Thundering Herds (1970-87)
Compositions: Music VF
Documentaries:
Woody Herman: Blue Flame: Portrait of a Jazz Legend (produced and directed by Graham Carter / 2012):
Amazon Dan Bilawsky Edward Blanco Steven Cerra
Thomas Cunniffe Discogs George W. Harris Library of Congress
Herman in Film: IMDb
Interviews:
1964 (Les Tomkins / text)
Recordings: Catalogs:
Discogs (First Herd)
Discogs (Fourth Herd)
Discogs (The Herd [First Herd])
Discogs (Woody Herman and His Orchestra)
Discogs (Second Herd)
Discogs (Third Herd)
Discogs (The Woodchoppers)
Discogs (Young Thundering Herd)
Recordings: Compilations:
The Band That Plays The Blues 1937-1941 (Naxos Jazz Legends 8.120527 / 2001)
The Band That Plays The Blues 1939-1941 (Ace of Hearts AH 156 / 1967)
The Band That Plays The Blues 1937-1943 (Affinity AFS 1008 / 1983)
#1042 1936-37 / #1090 1937-38 / #1128 1939 / #1163 1939-40 / #1243 1940 / #1304 1940-41
The Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman & His Orchestra and Woodchoppers (Mosaic / 2004)
The Third Herd (Storyville Records / 1999)
Recordings: Select:
The Fourth Herd (Sesac N-3101/02 / 1959)
The New Thundering Herd (RCA Victor / 1977)
Thundering Herd (Fantasy F-9452 / 1974)
Woody Herman and His Woodchoppers (Columbia C-121 / 1947)
Woody Herman's Big New Herd at The Monterey Jazz Festival (Atlantic SD 1328 / 1960)
Recordings: Sessionographies:
DAHR (Woody Herman 1934-44)
DAHR (Woody Herman Orchestra 1936-44)
DAHR (Woody Herman and His Woodchoppers 1938-42)
Tom Lord: leading 485 of 523 sessions 1930-87
Further Reading:
Big Band Spotlight (Woody Herman and the Band That Plays the Blues / 2012)
Steven Cerra / Gunther Schuller (2019)
Kevin Whitehead (100 Years of Woody Herman / NPR Fresh Air / 2013)
Bibliography:
Leader of the Band: The Life of Woody Herman (Gene Lees / Oxford University Press / 1995)
Authority Search: BNF Data
Classical Main Menu Modern Recording
hmrproject (at) aol (dot) com