Songwriters Hall of Fame

Legendary bandleader Woody Herman was born on May 16, 1913 in Milwaukee.

He played the clarinet and saxophone for Harry Sosnik, Gus Arnheim and Isham Jones before assembling his own ‘Band That Plays the Blues’ in 1937. One of his first hits, ‘Woodchopper’s Ball’ became his trademark and ‘Blue Flame’ (a #5 hit in 1941) his theme.

With sax stars Stan Getz and Zoot Sims and sidemen Bill Harris (trombone), Flip Phillips (tenor sax), Pete Candoli (trumpet), Dave Tough (drummer) and arrangers Ralph Burns and Neal Hefti, the Orchestra had over 50 hits including the top ten recordings of ‘Early Autumn’, ‘Blues in the Night’ (#1, 1941), ‘Blue Evening’, ‘This Time the Dream’s On Me’, ‘Tis Autumn’, ‘Amen’, ‘Do Nothin’ till You Hear From Me’, ‘Laura’, ‘Caldonia’ (#2, 1945), ‘A Kiss Goodnight’ and ‘Sabre Dance.’

Woody Herman died in Los Angeles, California on October 29, 1987.