HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Freddy Martin

Birth of Swing Jazz: Freddy Martin

Freddy Martin

Photo: Paramount Productions

Born on 9 December 1906 in Cleveland, Ohio, bandleader and tenor saxophonist, Freddy Martin, also played alto and clarinet. He led his first band while in high school, also working part time in a music shop. While attending Ohio State University he sold musical instruments, leading to his first meeting with lifelong friend, Guy Lombardo, trying to unload some saxophones that Lombardo didn't need while the latter was playing an engagement in Cleveland in 1924. Lombardo did, however, get Martin's band booked at either the Claremont Cafe or the Music Box.

Martin engaged in jazz a very wee bit but his was largely a smooth hotel dance operation. Tom Lord's sessionography lists only eleven sessions relevant to jazz, tracing Martin to as early as August 15, 1929, for Brunswick with Oliver Cobb and his Rhythm Kings: 'The Duck's Yas Yas Yas' and 'Hot Stuff' (Brunswick 7107). 'The Duck's Yas Yas Yas' is a hokum blues first recorded by James Stump Johnson in New York City on 21 December 1928 [Discogs]. Probably authored by James, brother of Jesse Johnson. Hokum is close to nonsense in meaning, as in so much hocus-pocus or a load of bunk(um). Its blues might employ double entendres dirty or ironic in meaning. Tampa Red's 'It's Tight Like That' in 1928 is one of the more famous examples of hokum blues.

'The Duck's Yas Yas Yas' Freddy Martin w Oliver Cobb and his Rhythm Kings

15 Aug 1929 in Chicago Matrix C4088 Brunswick 7107

Cornet: Oliver Cobb (vocal) Clarinet / alto sax: Freddy Martin

Alto sax: Walter Martin Tenor sax: Ernest "Chick" Franklin

Piano: Edith Johnson Banjo: Benny Jackson

Tuba: Singleton Palmer Drums: Lester Nichols

Composition: James Stump Johnson

'Hot Stuff' Freddy Martin w Oliver Cobb and his Rhythm Kings

15 Aug 1929 in Chicago Matrix C4089 Brunswick 7107

Cornet: Oliver Cobb (vocal) Clarinet / alto sax: Freddy Martin

Alto sax: Walter Martin Tenor sax: Ernest "Chick" Franklin

Piano: Edith Johnson Banjo: Benny Jackson

Tuba: Singleton Palmer Drums: Lester Nichols

Composition: Jesse Johnson

In 1930 Martin joined Jack Albin's Hotel Pennsylvania Music. Hotel Pennsylvania Music was a popular band and is represented at YouTube numerously. I've not been able to determine, though, on what titles Martin performed. He next recorded in 1932 with Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks for Victor: 'The Duck's Yas Yas Yas' and 'Good Old Bosom Bread' (Victor 23329).

'The Duck's Yas Yas Yas' Freddy Martin w Eddie Johnson and his Crackerjacks

25 Feb 1932 in Atlanta Matrix 71625-1 Victor 23329

Trumpet: Harold "Shorty" Baker / James Talphy Trombone: Winfield Baker

Alto sax: Freddy Martin / Walter Martin Tenor sax: Ernest "Chick" Franklin

Piano: Eddie Johnson Guitar / banjo: Benny Jackson (vocal)

Tuba: Singleton Palmer Drums: Lester Nichols

Composition: James Stump Johnson

Martin debuted with his own band in 1933. A session on January 16 in New York for Oriole resulted in 'When the Morning Rolls Around' (Oriole 2635) with Elmer Feldcamp (vocal), George Van Eps (guitar) and Bobby Van Eps (brother and pianist). Martin and his band performed largely popular hotel dance music to the schmaltz side like his rival, Lombardo. Martin also issued best-selling classical works.

'When the Morning Rolls Around' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

16 Jan 1933 in NYC Matrix C4088 Brunswick 7107

Bass sax: Adrian Rollini Vocal: Elmer Feldkamp

Composition: Harry Woods / Jimmy Campbell / Reg Connelly

'Edens Shampoo College Sorority Dance' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Radio broadcast March or April 1933 from NYC

Including 'You’re Beautiful Tonight' / 'The More the Merrier' / 'You Gotta Be a Football Hero'

Composition 'You Gotta Be a Football Hero': Al Sherman / Buddy Fields / Al Lewis 1933

'Tu Sais' ('You Know') Freddy Martin and his St. Regis Hotel Orchestra

18 Oct 1933 in NYC Liberty Music Shop L 155

Tango sung by Lois Elliman

Composition: Walter / Ervand / Weslyn

Martin scored his first of no less than 32 Top Ten titles on the popularity charts in December of 1933 when 'April in Paris' rose to #5. Five of his releases topped the charts at #1: 'I Saw Stars' (1934), 'Piano Concerto in B Flat' (8/1941), 'Symphony' (12/1945), 'To Each His Own' (8/1946) and 'Managua, Nicaragua' (1/1947). TsorT has 'Symphony' his best selling title overall.

'April in Paris' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

1 Dec 1933 Matrix 14406 Brunswick 6717

Vocal: Elmer Feldkamp

Music: Vernon Duke Lyrics: Yip Harburg 1932

For the Broadway musical 'Walk a Little Faster'

'Love Dropped in for Tea' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

13 March 1935 Matrix 17029=1 Brunswick 7406

Vocal: Elmer Feldkamp

Composition: Johnny Burke / Harold Spina

'A Two-Cent Stamp' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

30 March 1935 Matrix 17223 Brunswick 7430

Vocal: Elmer Feldkamp

Composition: White / Kurtz / Ager

'Mama's Gone, Goodbye' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

18 Sep 1939 in Hollywood PBS-042125

Bluebird B-11147 / Regal Zonophone G24018

Trumpet: Harry McKeehan / Al King

Trombone: George Jean / Glenn Hughes (vocal)

Sax: Freddy Martin / Russ Klein / Bill Stoker / Reed Christensen

Piano / organ: Jack Fina

Violin: Charles Bileck / Eddie Bergman / Dave Polakoff

Bass: George Green Drums: Bob White

Composition: Peter E. Bocage / Armand J. Piron

'The Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade)' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

24 April 1941 in Hollywood Matrix PBS-061198 Bluebird B-11147

Trumpet: Norm Bailey / Harry McKeehan

Trombone: Glenn Hughes / Charles Probert

Sax: Russ Klein / Freddy Martin / Chris Christensen / Archie Rosati

Piano: Jack Fina

Violin: Mischa Russell / Eddie Stone (vocal)

Bass: George Green Drums: Bob White

Composition: Jack Owens / Leo Killian / Ted McMichael

'Rose O'Day' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

25 Aug 1941 in Hollywood Matrix PBS-061546 Bluebird B-11286

Trumpet: Norm Bailey / Harry McKeehan

Trombone: Glenn Hughes / Charles Probert

Sax: Russ Klein / Chris Christensen / Clyde Rogers / Freddy Martin

Piano: Jack Fina

Violin: Charles Bealick / Eddie Bergman / Eddie Stone (vocal)

Bass: George Green Drums: Bob White

Composition: Al Lewis / Charles Tobias

'Tonight We Love' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

17 Sep 1941 in Hollywood Matrix PBS-061666 Bluebird B-11320

Trumpet: Norm Bailey / Harry McKeehan

Trombone: Glenn Hughes / Charles Probert

Sax: Russ Klein / Freddy Martin / Chris Christensen / Clyde Rogers (vocal)

Piano: Jack Fina

Violin: Charles Bealick / Eddie Bergman / Eddie Stone

Bass: George Green Drums: Bob White

Composition: Al Lewis / Charles Tobias

Radio had been another of Martin's important venues, NBC's 'Maybelline Penthouse Serenade' among the numerous shows on which he appeared (1937). Martin and his orchestra began to feature in Hollywood films in the early forties.

'Tonight We Love' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra Film

From 'The Mayor of 44th Street' directed by Alfred E. Green Released 15 Oct 1942

Composition: Al Lewis / Charles Tobias

'Symphony' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra backing Clyde Rogers

Matrix 20-1747A 9S Victor 20-1747-A 1945

Composition: Alex Alstone / André Tabet

'To Each His Own' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra backing Stuart Wade

16 May 1946 in Hollywood Matrix D6VB-2071 Victor 20-1921

Music: Jay Livingston Lyrics: Ray Evans For the film 'To Each His Own'

'Managua, Nicaragua' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra backing Stuart Wade

19 Oct 1946 in Hollywood Matrix D6VB-3118 Victor 20-2026

Music: Irving Fields Lyrics: Albert Gamse

'The Dickey Bird Song' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra backing Glenn Hughes

17 Oct 1947 in Hollywood Matrix D7VB-1392 Victor 20-2617

Composition: Howard Dietz / Sammy Fain

Among vocalists Martin employed were Merv Griffin, Buddy Clark and Helen Ward prior to her time with Benny Goodman. Saxophonist, Frank Morgan, recorded for the first time at age fifteen in Martin's orchestra in 1948, backing Griffin on 'Over the Rainbow'. Come 1951 Martin hosted 13 episodes of 'The Freddy Martin Show'.

'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra backing Merv Griffin

Matrix 20-3554B 4S 1V Victor 20-3554 1949

Composition: Fred Heatherton

Fred Heatherton = Harold Elton Box / Desmond Cox / Lewis Ilda

'The Freddy Martin Show' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra Television

Featuring Merv Griffin 1951

Including 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts' & 'Deep in the Heart of Texas'

Composition 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts': Fred Heatherton

Composition: 'Deep in the Heart of Texas': Don Swander (music) / June Hershey 1941

'Take the 'A' Train' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Recorded 1957 toward the 1958 album 'Lush and Latin' on Capitol Records T-998

Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Composition: Billy Strayhorn for Duke Ellington 1939

'C'mon Let's Dance!' Freddy Martin and his Orchestra Album

Capitol Records ST1269 1961

'Shangri-La' Instrumental by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Track 1 of 'Best of the New Favorites' on ST 2098 issued June 1964

Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Composition: Matty Malneck / Robert Maxwell

'Cotton Candy' Instrumental by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Track 2 of 'Best of the New Favorites' on ST 2098 issued June 1964

Trumpet: Joe Graves Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Composition: Ross Damon

'Charade' Instrumental by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Track 6 of 'Best of the New Favorites' on ST 2098 issued June 1964

Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Composition: Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer

'More' Instrumental by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Track 11 and last of 'Best of the New Favorites' on ST 2098 issued June 1964

Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Composition: Marcello Ciorciolini / Nino Oliviero / Norman Newell / Riz Ortolani

For the 1962 film 'Mondo Cane'

'Cabaret' Instrumental by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

Last track from the album 'Most Requested' on Decca DL 4839 1967

Arrangement: Robert H. "Bob" Ballard

Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb For the eponymous musical of 1966

Martin performed with his band into the eighties, booking hotels in high demand most the way. He died in Newport Beach, California, on 30 September 1983.

Sources & References for Freddy Martin:

Jason Ankeny (All Music)

Donald Clarke (Music Box)

Encyclopedia

VF History (notes)

Wikipedia

Audio of Martin: The 78 Prof (1934-53) Internet Archive

Martin in Film: IMDb

Hokum Blues:

All About Blues Music

Debra Devi (American Blues Scene)

Music Gateway