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.
On the sunny side of the street
Artie Shaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
In "On the Sunny Side of the Street," Artie Shaw details a transformation from loneliness and despair to joy and contentment. Before meeting this special someone, he walked with no one and talked with no one, haunted by shadows and worry. But upon encountering this person, he experienced a complete shift in his demeanor. He greets each day with the sun in his heart, and his worries disappear. This newfound happiness is represented by the lighthearted melody and lyrics, which encourage the listener to leave their worries on the doorstep and follow the happy tune to the sunny side of the street.
The song seems to suggest that companionship can have a profound impact on one's outlook on life. It takes only one person to help you learn how to say goodbye to worry and welcome joy. The song also touches on the power of positivity and choosing to focus on the good in life. Artie Shaw notes that even if he were penniless, he would still feel as rich as Rockefeller as long as he was on the sunny side of the street. Overall, the song serves as a reminder that happiness is a choice and that it can be found even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I was alone and disconnected from everyone around me, without any meaningful interactions or relationships.
And I had nothing but shadows
My life was empty and lacking substance, with no real purpose or direction.
Then one morning you passed
But then, one day, you came into my life and everything changed.
And I brightened at last
Your presence brought me joy and happiness, and I finally felt content and fulfilled.
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With you in my life, I feel ready to face each day and make the most of every moment.
With the sun in my heart
I feel so warm and happy inside, like the sun is shining down on me and filling me with light.
All my worry blew away
Any doubts or fears I had before were swept away by your love and support.
When you taught me how to say
You showed me how to be positive and optimistic, and how to see the good in life.
Grab your coat and get your hat
Now, let's go out and enjoy the world together, with all its possibilities and opportunities.
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Let go of any negative thoughts or concerns, and focus on the good things in life.
Just direct your feet
Let's take action and move forward, step by step, towards our goals and dreams.
To the sunny side of the street
Let's focus on the positive, on the bright side of life, where everything is full of hope and possibility.
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Do you hear that? It's the sound of our hearts beating together as we share this joyful moment.
And that happy tune is your step
We feel so giddy and excited, like we're dancing to our own personal soundtrack of joy and happiness.
Life can be so sweet
Life is full of amazing experiences, and we can savor every moment if we choose to focus on the positive.
I used to walk in the shade
I used to feel uncertain and insecure, always hiding myself away from the world.
With those blues on parade
I was constantly feeling sad or depressed, and it seemed like my problems just followed me wherever I went.
But I'm not afraid
But with you by my side, I feel much more confident and courageous, like I can take on any challenge.
This Rover crossed over
I've overcome my fears and insecurities, and now I stand tall and proud, ready to face whatever life throws my way.
If I never have a cent
Even if I never become rich or wealthy in a material sense,
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I still feel incredibly blessed and fortunate, because I have you in my life.
Gold dust at my feet
I feel like I'm walking on sunshine, surrounded by abundance and positivity.
On the sunny side of the street
Life is good, and I know that's where I belong - on the sunny side of the street, where everything is bright and full of promise.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
xylfox
What a superb clarinettist he was!