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.
This Is Romance
Artie Shaw Lyrics
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What can it be that suddenly came over me?
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Is there anybody who can solve this mystery?
Tell me why should it make a fool of me?
You took my heart and threw it away
And that's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?
It's hard to bear, looked everywhere, asked everyone under the sun
They turn away each time I say, "What is this thing called love?"
In Artie Shaw's song "What Is This Thing Called Love", the singer is struggling to understand and define the intense feeling that has come over him after being kissed by "lovely you". He is bewildered and frustrated by this mysterious sensation that has made a fool of him. He saw the object of his affection one day, and she took his heart and threw it away. This heartbreak intensifies his confusion about what this thing called love is. Despite seeking answers from others, no one seems able to offer any helpful insight into this inexplicable emotion that has entranced and confounded him.
The song captures the universal experience of falling in love, and the many questions it raises, such as the nature of attraction, the pain of heartbreak, and the wonder of discovering a new depth of feeling. The melody of the song is plaintive and hauntingly beautiful, conveying a sense of longing and introspection. The lyrics are simple but profound, capturing the feeling of being swept up in a powerful emotion that is difficult to understand or control. Ultimately, the song suggests that love is a mystery that can never be fully understood, but which nevertheless holds a powerful fascination for us all.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in a mystery, 'cause I've been kissed by lovely you
I am puzzled because I have been touched by an enchanting person like you, and I cannot comprehend what it means or how it is affecting me
What can it be that suddenly came over me?
What is this thing that is having a sudden impact on me?
What is this thing called love?
What is this emotion known as love?
This funny thing called love?
This strange and comical emotion called love?
Is there anybody who can solve this mystery?
Does anyone have the answer to this enigma?
Tell me why should it make a fool of me?
Explain why love is causing me to behave foolishly?
I saw you there, one wonderful day
One day, I saw you and you were truly wonderful
You took my heart and threw it away
You captured my heart and then discarded it
And that's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
This is why I am seeking guidance from a higher power
What is this thing called love?
I am questioning the nature of this emotion called love
It's hard to bear, looked everywhere, asked everyone under the sun
It is burdensome to endure, I have searched far and wide, and asked every possible person for a solution
They turn away each time I say, "What is this thing called love?"
Every person I ask seems to avoid answering my question about love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Swing Band Heaven
What an intriguing melody...