He was born in New York City (but grew up in New Haven, Connecticut) and began learning the saxophone when he was 15 and by age 16, had begun to tour with a band. He reached Hollywood the first time, as a sideman with Irving Aaronson's band in 1931, performing at the famous Orange Blossom Room (site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929). Returning to New York City in1932, he became a highly in-demand session musician, working for example as one of just a handful of accompanists to Bing Crosby's first signature radio show for William S. Paley's already powerful and influential CBS radio network. Ultimately, Artie (who was known strictly as "Art" Shaw until his fortuitous Summer, 1938 contract with RCA Victor records' Bluebird label commenced) organized and led five, full-time touring orchestras that were all extremely popular -save the last, from 1949, with its be-bop oriented book. Ironically, that final Shaw-led big band (populated with players like Al Cohn), is considered by most jazz critics to have been Artie's best. With time out to lead a Navy service band (in the Pacific combat theater) during WWII, Shaw's actual big band- leading career lasted less than a decade overall -yet, it was a remarkably productive one, populated with some fourteen "Gold" records. These included such mega-hits as "Begin the Beguine", "Stardust", "Frenesi", "Moonglow", "Temptation", "Dancing In The Dark" and "Summit Ridge Drive" -the latter by his famous quintet billed as the Gramercy 5.
Shaw was known for being an innovator in the big band idiom, pioneering strings with jazz and using unusual instrumentations. His Summer, 1935 piece "Interlude in B-flat" was one of the earliest examples of what would be later dubbed "third stream". In 1938 he convinced Billie Holiday to be his band's vocalist, becoming the first white bandleader to hire a full-time black female singer. This 1938-1939 orchestra became phenomenonally successful and appeared in the movie "Dancing Co-ed" which also featured one of his future wives, Lana Turner, in the cast. Artie's clarinet playing, had by now reached a level that was arguably the greatest in jazz, easily rivaling that of Benny Goodman. Longtime Duke Ellington clarinetist Barney Bigard, himself a highly talented musician -cited Shaw (in 1940) as his "favorite" clarinet player. Literally abandoning his famous 1938-1939 band at the absolute peak of its' fame and earning power (Artie, just himself alone pulling down more than $10K per week) in late November, 1939, Shaw "abdicated" to Acapulco, Mexico. Returning to the U.S. he organized an entirely new orchestra, with full string section in the Summer of 1940. A truly stellar aggregation, it lasted until mid-1941, featuring stars Billy Butterfield, Johnny Guarneiri, Nick Fatool and Ray Conniff as principal arranger. This outfit can be prominently seen in the RKO film "Second Chorus" starring Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard. The final pre-war Shaw band, started in late, 1941, had Davey Tough and Hot Lips Page and big hits on St. James Infirmary Blues and Blues In The NIght. Artie broke this outstanding unit up shortly after Pearl Harbor so he could "enlist" in the Navy -refusing an offered commission. Back from the Navy, Shaw put together a new band that featured Roy Eldridge and an ambitious library stocked with arrangements by Eddie Sauter, Buster Harding, Ray Conniff and others. Hit records for this band included "Little Jazz" and "S'Wonderful" and by now Artie was married to Ava Gardner. His final public performances (as a clarinetist) took place in 1954, including with a sublime quartet in an extended Las Vegas booking. Apparently, he last picked up and played his fabled clarinet in about 1960 at his beach house in Spain (as recounted in final wife actress Evelyn Keyes' autobiography) and resisted all lucrative offers to return to the stage until finally fielding a "ghost" band under the highly capable aegis of outstanding clarinetist Dick Johnson in 1985. For about the first year, Artie often appeared on stage with this very fine orchestra at certain, prestigious bookings, but soon tired of the "grind" -and not to Dick Johnson's dismay. This now true "ghost" band is still appearing during Summer seasons (with much of the original Shaw "books"), principally in the New England area (Johnson lives in Boston) and is well worth seeing. Although he had more wives (8) than bands, Artie fell one wife short of Charlie Barnet's record (for a famous bandleadrer) of nine.
All The Things You Are
Artie Shaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That makes the lonely winter seem long
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
You are the angel glow that lights the stars
The dearest things I know are what you are
Someday my happy arms will hold you
And some day I'll know that moment divine
The lyrics to Artie Shaw & Helen Forrest's song All The Things You Are are a beautiful tribute to a loved one. The song begins by comparing the person to the promised kiss of springtime, a metaphor for the feeling of hope and happiness that they bring. This feeling is so strong that it can make the lonely winter seem longer in contrast. The second line compares the person to a breathless hush of evening, bringing a sense of serenity and peacefulness to the day.
As the song continues, the lyrics suggest that this person is not only beautiful, but they are also kind and caring. They are described as an "angel glow that lights the stars," suggesting that they bring light and happiness into the darkness. The final line, "The dearest things I know are what you are", implies that this person is not just somebody the singer loves, but that they are everything that is good in the world.
The song concludes with a note of hope and longing, as the singer dreams of one day holding the person and having all the things they represent become theirs. Overall, the lyrics paint an incredibly romantic and idealistic picture of love, emphasizing the transformative power of a special person in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the promised kiss of springtime
You bring the hope and joy of a new beginning, much like the first kiss of spring after a long and dreary winter.
That makes the lonely winter seem long
Your absence during winter only exacerbates the feeling of immense loneliness.
You are the breathless hush of evening
In the stillness of evening, you bring a sense of peace and tranquility that leaves one speechless and awestruck.
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
Your very essence seems to resonate with the melodies of beautiful, soul-stirring songs, each note quivering in anticipation.
You are the angel glow that lights the stars
You possess a warmth and radiance that illuminates even the darkest corners of the universe, making life and the cosmos infinitely more beautiful.
The dearest things I know are what you are
Of all the things that matter and are important to me, none compare to the value you hold in my life.
Someday my happy arms will hold you
The thought of finally being able to hold you fills me with immense joy, and I cannot wait for that day to arrive.
And some day I'll know that moment divine
I eagerly await the day when every dream, hope, and desire comes together in an exquisite moment of pure bliss, brought together by you.
When all the things you are, are mine
The day I make you mine, to call you my own, is the day when everything in the world has meaning, and nothing else will matter.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gia1787
You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
And some day I'll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine
@fdobbs37
One of the greatest songs ever written. Music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This is the best rendition of this song. It doesn't get any better than Artie Shaw and Helen Forrest. It's a pity this stuff isn't around any more. Helen Forrest was probably the best band singer in that era. Thanks for posting.
@lamgefyoutoob
Helen Forrest is a forgotten goddess. She was a great musician and interpreter of lyrics. This song makes me cry every time.
@peggyolona1066
It doesn't get any better than this...amen to that..
No Doubt!!
But never, never count Ella
Out!! Never..!
Yeh, this kind of music...
Would help this world out..
Nothing like it❣🎶
@elkeplatt8969
Helen will never be forgotten from People like you an me.
She had a wonderful warm and angelistic voice and was a beautiful woman too.
When i hear this gem of music, I cry like a river.
This masterpiece goes under the skin.
Helen and Artie forever ❤❤.
@stephensmith1343
I also love the version by cantor azi schwartz
@christopherfisher6293
My mum getting ready for a date with my dad while this plays quietly on the radio. Have a good time mum and thank you.
@capnjackgallows3204
They evidently had wonderful taste in music , hope they're resting soundly and sweetly mate
@Tommy-hp5ij
If for no other reason or song -- because of this song, Artie Shaw and this band, and Helen's superb interpretation and delivery here -- she will never be forgotten. Pretty awesome!
@robertacevedo3502
In addition to Artie Shaw and the band, I love Helen Forrest's vocals. Her voice lent itself perfectly to the Big Band Era. It was perfectly pitched, nuanced, and never forced. It was also very pleasant to listen to.
@user-nu9ht9ve4x
2023..
Luckilly..Still LOVE the old way.. ❣️