![]() ![]() In 1936, Shaw formed his first group, an unusual ensemble consisting of clarinet, rhythm section, and string quartet. Over the next few years he played on countless record dates, often sitting next to such other then-session musicians as Benny Goodman, the Dorsey brothers, Bunny Berigan, Jack Teagarden, and Claude Thornhill. Shaw remained in New York, eventually becoming the first call alto player in the recording studios. Shaw later performed arrangements of some of Smith’s tunes. There, he jammed with and came under the influence of the great stride pianist Willie “The Lion” Smith. After that job, he toured with Irving Aaronson (playing tenor sax) and went to New York with him. ![]() This provided extensive and valuable writing and arranging experience for the still-teenaged Shaw. In 1926, Shaw moved to Cleveland and worked for four years as the music director for an orchestra led by a violinist, Austin Wylie. It was during this stint that Shaw began playing clarinet, which was to become his main horn. He did become proficient on the instrument, and began gigging (at age 15) with a New Haven dance band led by Johnny Cavallaro. ![]()
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