Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman and his orchestra in 1921. Photo from the sheet music issue of the band's early hit recording Wang Wang Blues
Background information
Birth name	Paul Whiteman
Born	March 28, 1890(1890-03-28)
Origin	Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died	December 29, 1967 (aged 77)
Genre(s)	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Bandleader Composer
Instrument(s)	violin
Associated acts	Bix Beiderbecke Frankie Trumbauer Joe Venuti Eddie Lang

Paul Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was a popular American orchestral leader. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The City and County of Denver (pronounced /ˈdɛnvɚ/ is the Capital and the most populous city of Colorado, in the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States A bandleader is the leader of a band of Musicians The term is most commonly though not exclusively used with a group that plays Popular music as A composer (literally meaning 'one who puts together' is a person who creates Music, usually in the medium of notation, for Interpretation and Performance A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member Leon Bix Beiderbecke ( March 10, 1903 &ndash August 6, 1931) was an American Jazz Cornetist and composer as well Frankie (Tram Trumbauer ( 30 May 1901 &ndash 11 June 1956) was one of the leading Jazz Saxophonists of the 1920s and 1930s Giuseppe (Joe Venuti ( September 16 1903 &ndash August 14, 1978) was a U Eddie Lang ( October 25, 1902 &ndash March 26, 1933) was an American Jazz Guitarist, considered by many to be the finest Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the He was born in Denver, Colorado. The City and County of Denver (pronounced /ˈdɛnvɚ/ is the Capital and the most populous city of Colorado, in the United States After a start as a classical violinist and violist, Whiteman then led a jazz-influenced dance band, which became locally popular in San Francisco, California in 1918. The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member The viola is a bowed String instrument. It is the middle voice of the Violin family, The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In 1920 he moved his band to New York City where they started making recordings for Victor Records which propelled Whiteman and his band to national prominence. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar The City of New York Victrola redirects here For other uses see Victrola (disambiguation The Victor Talking Machine Company ( 1901 – 1929 Whiteman became the most popular band leader of the decade. In May, 1928, he signed with Columbia Records, only to return to Victor September, 1931, where he stayed until March, 1937. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company

In the 1920s, Whiteman was controversially dubbed The King of Jazz (see: Jazz royalty) and though he wore this title with pride, he hadn't stopped short of acknowledging the African American roots of the genre and never claimed to be a pioneer of the genre, but rather emphasized the way he'd approached the already well-established style of music while organizing its compusure and style in a fashion of his own choosing. The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the " Jazz Age " or the " Roaring Twenties " when speaking about the United States and Canada Jazz royalty is a term that reflects the many great Jazz musicians who have some sort of royal, aristocratic or other honorific title added to their names or He recorded Hoagy Carmichael singing and playing "Washboard Blues" to the accompaniment of his orchestra in 1927. Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (November 22 1899 – December 27 1981 was an American Composer, Pianist, singer actor and bandleader Washboard Blues (1926 composed by Hoagy ^[1]

While today most fans of jazz consider improvisation to be essential to the musical style, Whiteman thought the music could be improved by orchestrating the best of it, with formal arrangements. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States In a time when most dance bands consisted of six to 10 men, Whiteman led a much larger and more imposing group, numbering as many as 35 musicians. Whiteman's recordings were critically popular and commercially successful, and his more respectable brand of jazz music was often the first jazz of any form that some people heard.

For more than 30 years, Paul Whiteman sought out and encouraged musicians, vocalists, composers, arrangers, and entertainers who looked promising. In 1924 Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which was premiered by Whiteman's orchestra with Gershwin at the piano. George Gershwin (September 26 1898 &ndash July 11 1937 was an American Composer. Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924 which combines elements of classical music with Another familiar piece in Whiteman's repertoire was Grand Canyon Suite, by Ferde Grofé. The Grand Canyon Suite is a Suite for Orchestra by Ferde Grofé, composed during the period from 1929 to 1931 Ferde Grofé ( March 27 1892 &ndash April 3 1972) was an American Pianist, arranger and Composer.

Whiteman hired many of the best white jazz men for his band, including Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Steve Brown, Mike Pingitore, Gussie Mueller, Wilbur Hall (billed by Whiteman as "Willie Hall"), Jack Teagarden, and Bunny Berigan. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Leon Bix Beiderbecke ( March 10, 1903 &ndash August 6, 1931) was an American Jazz Cornetist and composer as well Frankie (Tram Trumbauer ( 30 May 1901 &ndash 11 June 1956) was one of the leading Jazz Saxophonists of the 1920s and 1930s Giuseppe (Joe Venuti ( September 16 1903 &ndash August 14, 1978) was a U Eddie Lang ( October 25, 1902 &ndash March 26, 1933) was an American Jazz Guitarist, considered by many to be the finest Steve Brown ( 1890 - 15 September, 1965) was a Jazz Musician best known for his work on String bass. Member of Paul Whiteman 's OrchestraHe was the elder brother of Eugene Pingitore also a notable Banjo player who moved to Australia. Gustave "Gus" "Gussie" Mueller ( New Orleans Louisiana April 17, 1890 &ndash Hollywood California December 16 Wilbur Hall, sometimes billed as Willie Hall, was a United States trombonist and Entertainer. Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden ( August 20, 1905 &ndash January 15, 1964) was an influential Jazz Trombonist and Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan ( November 2 1908 - June 2, 1942) was an American Jazz Trumpeter He'd also encouraged upcoming African American musical talents, but due to the racial tension of that time, he never succeeded in recruiting any. In late 1926 he signed three candidates for his orchestra: Bing Crosby, Al Rinker, and Harry Barris. Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Al Rinker ( December 20, 1907 &ndash June 11, 1982) began performing as a partner with Bing Crosby in 1925 and the two singers formed Harry Barris ( November 24, 1905 – December 13, 1962) was an American popular singer Whiteman billed the singing trio as his Rhythm Boys. The Rhythm Boys were a male singing trio consisting of Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker. Crosby's prominence in the Rhythm Boys helped launch his career as one of the most successful singers of the 20th century.

Whiteman signed Mildred Bailey in 1929 (although she didn't record with Whiteman until 1931). Mildred Bailey ( February 27 1907 &ndash December 12 1951) was a popular American Jazz Singer during the 1930s It has been reported in a couple of recent books that Whiteman wanted to hire black musicians back in the late 1920s, but he was talked out of it by his management and record company.

Jazz musician, turned crooner Red McKenzie and cabaret singer Ramona Davies (billed as "Ramona and her Grand Piano") joined the Whiteman group in 1932. Red McKenzie (Oct 14 1899 St Louis Missouri - Feb 7 1948 New York City) was an American Jazz musician

from the trailer for the film Rhapsody in Blue (1945)

In 1930 "Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra" starred in the first feature-length movie musical filmed entirely in Technicolor, King of Jazz. Rhapsody in Blue is a 1945 biopic of George Gershwin. Starring Robert Alda as Gershwin the film features a few of Gershwin's acquaintances (including Technicolor is the trademark for a series of color film processes pioneered by Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation King of Jazz ( 1930) is a motion picture starring Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra The film was technically ahead of its time, with many dazzling camera effects complementing the Whiteman music. Whiteman appeared as himself, and good-naturedly kidded his weight and his dancing skills. A highlight was a concert rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924 which combines elements of classical music with Unfortunately, by the time King of Jazz was released to theaters, audiences had seen too many "all-singing, all-dancing" musicals, and much of the moviegoing public stayed away. King of Jazz ( 1930) is a motion picture starring Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra The expensive film didn't show a profit until 1933, when it was successfully reissued to cash in on the popularity of 42nd Street and its elaborate production numbers. 42nd Street is a major crosstown street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, known for its Theaters especially near the intersection

In 1931, Whiteman married motion picture actress Margaret Livingston. Margaret Livingston ( 25 November, 1900 - 13 December, 1984) was an American motion picture actress best known

In the 1940s and 1950s, after he had disbanded his orchestra, Whiteman worked as a music director for the ABC Radio Network. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. He also hosted several television programs and continued to appear as guest conductor for many concerts. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic His manner on stage was disarming; he signed off each program with something casual like, "Well, that just about slaps the cap on the old milk bottle for tonight. "

Duke Ellington wrote in his autobiography: "Paul Whiteman was known as the King of Jazz, and no one as yet has come near carrying that title with more certainty and dignity. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. "

Paul Whiteman died at the age of 77 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Doylestown is a Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 34 miles (55 km north of Philadelphia.

Quotations

"Jazz tickles your muscles, symphonies stretch your soul. "

"Jazz is the folk music of the machine age. "

"Jazz came to America three hundred years ago in chains. "

Notes

1. ^ Wilder, Alec (1990). American Popular Song: The Great Innovators 1900-1950. New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-501445-6.  

External link