Particularly for new fans of the big band sound and history, several times a week I'll be including an article about a specific big band with a video attached of one of their hits.
In this installment, we salute band leader Charlie Barnet. Barnet was at his peak from 1939 to 1949.
He is unique in that he's one of the few swing musicians to be born a millionaire. Many entered the world of music to escape the poverty of the Depression period....no such need to succeed with Charlie. Similar to Artie Shaw, Barnet gained a reputation not only as a topflight band leader, but as a playboy. Both, it seems, lost count of the number of marriages and divorces! A very special reason to remember Charlie Barnet is the fact that his was one of the earliest big bands to be integrated (1935).
Barnet arrived in New York in 1932 where he started by leading bands on records. His career was quite erratic until 1939 when he gained national fame with his hit recording of "Cherokee." His vocalists included, Kay Starr, Frances Wayne and Lena Horne. Two of the top musicians who were part of his band were clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and trumpeter Roy Eldridge.
In terms of his recordings, he is best remembered for "Skyliner" (with a composing credit) in addition to "Cherokee". Both are big band classics. Like so many other band leaders, after the end of the big band era (1935-45) Barnet was forced into semi-retirement, limited to short tours and appearances.
Here is Charlie Barnet with the big band classic "Cherokee." Enjoy. (To contact me directly: rbusciglio@gmail.com )
Comments
Of his many marriages, Barnet said he liked his women to match the upholstery on his car.
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