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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #65: Woodchopper’s Ball

30.05.2011 by Chris

Woodraw “Woody” Charles Herman (16.05.1913 – 29.10.1987) was a saxophonist, clarinetist, singer and bandleader. He started his career as a child, by 1925 he knew that he wanted to be a jazz musician.

As clarinetist, Woody Herman didn't reach the same level as soloist as Benny Goodman, Harry James or Artie Shaw, he preferred to let the other members of the orchestra shine.

In fact, Herman's strength was the ability to recognize talent long before others did.

He hired young talented musicians and arrangers and he refused to play only hits of the past. Therefore he always led big bands which were fresh, vital, exciting, musically sharp and popular, and this for fifty years!

With his first ensemble “The Band That Plays The Blues“, formed 1936, he recorded (At The) Woodchopper's Ball the first time in 1939 for Decca.

Woodchopper's Ball is an up-tempo blues tune, composed in the same year by Joe Bishop and Woody Herman.

It was not a hit from the beginning. But Decca kept re-releasing the tune and within three or four years it became one and eventually the song sold more than five million copies.

Woody Herman At The Woodchopper's Ball

Title: At The Woodchopper's Ball
Artist: Woody Herman
Recorded: 1939
Tempo: 180 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ・ iTunes

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out:

  • Song of the Week #62: “Jesse” by Harry James
  • Song of the Week #14: “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
  • Song of the Week #1: “All The Cats Join In” by Benny Goodman & Orchestra

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Balboa, DJ Chrisbe, Lindy Hop, Woody Herman

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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