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Woody Herman

 


Woody Herman, France, 1965 | Jazz in Photo | tc150

Woodrow Charles “Woody” Herman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 16, 1913. He was a noted band leader for generations and was known for his eagerness to experiment and innovate. He was also a gifted jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist as well as vocalist. Probably his best known tune, “Woodchoppers Ball”, pre-dates Chess.

By the late 1960s he was heavily influenced by the progress of soul and blues music and “progressive” rock and he recorded a number of albums for Chess. He was also noted for widening the sound of jazz bands and orchestras by including a wider range of musical instruments, such as French Horns and woodwind instruments.

Woody Herman died from congestive heart failure, emphysema and pneumonia in Los Angeles, California, on October 29, 1987. 

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