Woody Hermann (Woodrow Charles Hermann) is a Clarinettiste, Saxophoniste (viola & soprano), Chanteur and Leader of American Jazz , born the May 16th 1913 with Milwaukee (Wisconsin) and dead the October 29th 1987.

Biography

Born in 1913 in a family working in the light comedy, Woody Hermann learns the Saxophone at 11 years and the Clarinette to 14. At the 15 years age, it becomes professional and plays in many formations of which the Isham Jones Juniors . It is with five of the former musicians of this group, that in 1936 it forms its first orchestra. This Big band, quickly called The band That plays the Blues , records Woodchopper' S ball in 1939, a title which will make it famous.

After a rehandling of personnel, the orchestra becomes The Fist Herd ( the first herd ). It is for this formation that Igor Stravinski written Ebony concerto . In February 1942, the piece Blues in the Night (My Mama Gives Tol' Me) is n°1 in the United States. The orchestra is dissolved in 1946. Of 1947 with 1949, Woody Hermann directs the " Second Herd" . The section of saxophones of this orchestra, made up of Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Herbie Steward (Saxophone tenor) and of Serge Chaloff (Saxophone baritone) and known under the name of the Furnace Brothers , is one of most remarkable of the history of the jazz. At the end of 1949, of the financial problems push Woody Hermann to dissolve this big band to occur in small formation.

In 1950, it forms the Third Herd which knows frequent changes of personnel and dimension. From the Sixties, Woody Hermann will direct other full orchestras: the Thunderings Herds . The “heroic” time of the big bands is completed and the clarinettist, to make survive his formation, engages primarily of young musicians resulting from the university orchestras. Woody Hermann, ruined by the embezzlements of its manager, dies of an heart attack in 1987.

Limited instrumentalist, it regarded itself as a “average soloist”, was especially an exceptional born leader. He always showed a large open-minded. In the repertory testifies to its last Thundering Herds where its old successes of the time swing were côtoyaient ( Apple honey , Caldonia ) and of the compositions of John Coltrane or Chick Corea.