[SWING] Artie Shaw Orchestra Guitarists

**TheGrandWazoo** · 09-01-2015, 12:42 PM

Does anyone have a definitive list of who were the guitarists for the Artie Shaw Orchestra and when? I know Kessel played with him but when? and Who else played with him? I know Tal played on a line-up of the Gramercy 5.

destinytot · 09-01-2015, 01:20 PM

Some search results here show personnel ('listen & download mp3s' tab): A Jazz Anthology MP3 Choose listen download MP3 tunes jazz artists

**wintermoon** · 09-01-2015, 01:29 PM

Jimmy Raney, Al Hendrickson

destinytot · 09-01-2015, 02:09 PM

Al Avola

**TheGrandWazoo** · 09-01-2015, 03:37 PM

I'd love to learn more about Avola. I've been getting more into my Big Band work and doing a lot more listening. I always like to learn more about the players who never became "famous" but were just as good, if you know what I mean.

Thanks Destiny & Wintermoon

**neatomic** · 09-01-2015, 06:27 PM

jimmy raney was briefly with shaw in 49-50..jimmy was not happy in big bands (why he left woody herman), he was a charlie parker bopper…he was playing in small groups with stan getz at the same time

shaw had joe puma alternating with tal in 54

cheers

**goldenwave77** · 09-02-2015, 09:09 AM

According to The Rough Guide to Jazz, Shaw himself "took up Spanish guitar ...as a 2nd instrument" in 1950, though I've never seen his guitar work appearing as a credit, in any recording.

It seems Shaw, unlike some other big band leaders (e.g. Ellington) liked the guitar, and used a number of well-known players through the years.

Swing fans used to debate Benny Goodman v. Artie Shaw in the way that baseball fans would later debate Mickey Mantle v. Mays. Both great players, but I think Shaw's phrasing is a little looser and more hip, rhythmically.

(At the upcoming Detroit Jazz fest, (see new post), Kenny Peplowski will do the kickoff concert on Fri. night playing BG-themed music....should be great.)

**wintermoon** · 09-02-2015, 11:25 AM

who said Ellington didn't like guitar?
his band of the 50 and 60s didn't have guitar but Fred Guy was his banjoist/guitarist for 24 years.
and when Django came to the US he toured w/Ellington.
and he loved Kenny Burrell

**goldenwave77** · 09-02-2015, 11:48 AM

From Scott Yanow's book, The Great Jazz Guitarists:

"Throughout his career, Duke Ellington rarely had any real purpose for guitarists in his music. While he was quoted as calling Kenny Burrell his favorite guitarist, he never recorded with him. When D. Reinhardt toured with ...Ellington...Duke wrote no special music ...and just had him play with the rhythm sction....And once Fred Guy switched from banjo to guitar, he became a nearly invisible member of the Ellington Orchestra....

Although he never really soloed, Guy can be heard prominently on many of Ellington's records of the late 1920's (on banjo), adding a strong rhythm and drive to his ensembles...

One assumes that Guy played the same way on guitar. But when he switched to guitar, ...he seemed to disappear. Although he was present on virtually all of the ...records until he left after 24 yrs.,...Fred Guy was mostly inaudible mostly kept on for old time's sake. When Guy left...Ellington never felt the need to add a rhythm guitarist. Fred Guy retired from playing, moved to Chicago, and managed a ballroom for over 20 years. He committed suicide in 1971."

I am assuming Yanow knows whereof he speaks, but again he may not. My "knowledge" is 2nd hand, and I am relying on Yanow's assessment, which could be wrong.

Burrell is also a well-known fan and specialist on things Ellington. I think he heads up the Ellington Ctr. or something out at UCLA. Possible that Kenny Burrell's love for Ellington, may be more of a one-way love affair. Musicians rarely speak ill of others, esp. when Burrell is burnishing Duke's legacy. (not that Ellington lacks for admirers, incl. myself)

**wintermoon** · 09-02-2015, 11:55 AM

Yanow is very credible, but his, like anyone else's, is only an opinion.

**daveg** · 09-02-2015, 02:56 PM

Grand Wazoo,

I have PM'ed you with the Artie Shaw Discography PDF.

DG

**neatomic** · 09-02-2015, 05:36 PM

just happened to come across artie shaw book bio so perused the following-

joe puma took over for tal farlow when tal didnt want to leave the ny area to tour

jimmy raney was wary after leaving woody herman…had heard artie was tough band leader to work for, but said he had great time and artie gave him plenty of room to stretch…ended by saying if you knew how to play artie left you alone to do it

cheers

**daveg** · 09-03-2015, 06:00 AM

Carl Kress
Wesley Vaughn
Gene Stone (Stultz)
Tony Gottuso (Gattuso)
Mike Bryan
Al Avola
Dave Barbour
Bobby Sherwood
Al Hendrickson
Sam Herman
Jimmy Shirley
Barney Kessel
Allen Reuss
Jimmy Raney
Everett Barksdale
John Collins
Frank Worrell
George Barnes
Danny Perri
Barry Galbraith
Art Ryerson
Tal Farlow
Joe Puma

In order of their first appearance (recording) with the orchestra.

DG