HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

The Big Band Swing of Woody Herman

Birth of Swing Jazz: Woody Herman

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
   Blue Evening   #9   1939
   Blue Flame   #5   April 1941
   G'bye Now   #10   June 1941
   Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol' Me)   #1   Jan 1942
   Amen   #5   Sep 1942
   Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me   #7   #4 R&B   Feb 1944
   The Music Stopped   #10   March 1944
   Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet   #10   June 1944
   Laura   #4   April 1945
   Caldonia   #2   May 1945
   A Kiss Goodnight   #9   July 1945
   Fan It   #4   1946   Woody Herman & His Woodchoppers featuring Red Norvo
   Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!   #7   Feb 1946
   Surrender   #8   June 1946
   Sabre Dance #3 03/1948

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:

Browse Biography

Joyce Harrison (alt)

Last.fm

Wikipedia

VF History (notes)

Wikipedia

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)

Timeline

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:

45 Worlds

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)

Music Brainz

RYM

SHS

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)

Chronological Classics:

#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

 

 

About         Contact         Privacy

hmrproject (at) aol (dot) com