In the 1920s and early 1930s Whiteman dubbed himself The King of Jazz (see: Jazz royalty). Much of what his band played hasn't been considered "true" jazz by later generations. Others reject these notions, and regard Whiteman's music as an interesting development in jazz history. He recorded Hoagy Carmichael singing and playing Washboard Blues to the accompaniment of his orchestra in 1926.[1]
While today most fans of jazz consider improvisation to be essential to the musical style, Whiteman thought the music could be improved by scoring the best of it. Modern revisionists might look back & say "that wasn't the True Jazz", but his notions were critically popular and commercially successful at the time. Whiteman's music was often the first jazz of any form that some people heard.
Duke Ellington wrote in his autobiography: "Paul Whiteman was known as the King of Jazz, and no one as yet has come near carrying that title with more certainty and dignity."
Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which was premiered by Whiteman's Orchestra with Gershwin at the piano in 1924. Another familiar piece in Whiteman's repertoire: Grand Canyon Suite, by Ferde Grofé (much of which was used in the score of A Christmas Story).
Whiteman appreciated jazz musicians and hired many of the best white jazz men for his band, including Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Steve Brown, Mike Pingitore, Gussie Mueller, Jack Teagarden, and Bunny Berigan. Whiteman gave them constant chances to improvise, paid them top salaries and encouraged them to make small band jam recordings on the side.
Paul Whiteman was primarily responsible for revolutionizing the dance orchestra and dance music after World War I. Prior to that time, dances were played by military bands, string ensembles, or small combinations. Working in 1918-19 with arranger Ferde Grofé and in parallel with fellow San Francisco bandleader Art Hickman, Whiteman introduced the saxophone section as a musical unit of equal weight with the brass. This set a standard for instrumentation that defined the dance orchestra, and remains in big bands to this day. Before Whiteman, musical arrangements were very cut-and-dried, with much repetition. Whiteman and Grofé introduced arrangements that instead of repeating, changed keys, textures and rhythms over their course, much like symphonic music. This innovation, combined with the jazz elements mentioned above, plus his insistence on using top notch, concert-calibre musicians, made Paul Whiteman's orchestra a vanguard force that changed the face of popular music in the 1920s.
Whiteman was also one of the greatest of all talent scouts. For over 30 years, he sought out and encouraged musicians, vocalists, composers, arrangers and entertainers who looked promising. It is worth repeating that Whiteman not only premiered George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" in 1924, but commissioned him to write it, much to Gershwin's surprise at the time.
Both Bing Crosby and Mildred Bailey got their start singing with the Whiteman Orchestra.
In 1931, Whiteman married motion picture actress Margaret Livingston.
After he disbanded his Orchestra, in the 1940s and 1950s Whiteman worked as a music director for the ABC Radio Network. He also hosted several television programs and continued to appear as guest conductor for many concerts.
Paul Whiteman died at the age of 77 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Valencia
Paul Whiteman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my dreams it always seems I hear you softly call to me.
Valencia!
Where the orange trees forever scent the breeze
Beside the sea.
Valencia!
In my arms I held your charms
Beneath the blossoms high above.
In Valencia long ago we found our
Paradise of Love!
In a magic dream of mem'ry
I see you again
In that old town far away
Beneath skies of Spain.
That city of tender romances,
So shy were your glaces
And swift as the sunshine that dances
Through the Orange Grove.
Valencia!"
Valencia!
Terre exquise
Ou la brise
Effeuille les fleurs d'oranger!
Valencia!
Doux rivage
Ou le nuage
Emporte nos reves legers!
Valencia!
Fleur perverse
Qui nous verse
Tous les parfums tour a tour.
Je t'aime
Car j'eus le bonheur surpreme
Dans ton paradis d'amour!
Sur ta rive enchanteresse,
Sous ton ciel si doux,
J'ai connu l'ivresse
Du premier rendezvous
C'est la que le coeurangoise
Les yeux pleins de fievres
J'ai laisse cueillir sur mes levres
Le premier baiser
Valencia!
The lyrics to Paul Whiteman's song Valencia depict a dream-like recollection of a past love in the beautiful Spanish city of Valencia. The singer longs for the memories of the city, where the orange trees constantly scent the breeze and the blossoming flowers hang high above. The memories come vividly in dreams and bring back the feeling of being held in the arms of the one they loved in Valencia. The city is portrayed as a paradise of love, where the magic of romance sweeps through the orange groves like sunshine. The singer reminisces of tender and shy glances exchanged with their love, and the heart-fluttering excitement of their first passionate kiss in Valencia - a city of tender romances.
The lyrics portray Valencia as a city of beauty, love, and romance. The orange trees and flowers that scent the breeze bring not just a pleasing aroma to the city, but also evoke memories of love and affection. The city's sky is described as being always gentle and the location of the first meeting of lovers. Valencia has been a muse to artists and poets throughout history, with its stunning Renaissance architecture and beaches. This song perfectly captures the enchanting essence of the city and its romantic history.
Line by Line Meaning
Valencia!
Addressing the city of Valencia with excitement and admiration.
In my dreams it always seems I hear you softly call to me.
Expressing the feeling of being called back to the city in dreams.
Valencia! Where the orange trees forever scent the breeze Beside the sea.
Describing the beautiful scenery of the city with its orange trees and coastal location.
Valencia! In my arms I held your charms Beneath the blossoms high above. You loved me In Valencia long ago we found our Paradise of Love!
Recalling a past love affair in the city, characterized by its charm and romantic atmosphere.
In a magic dream of mem'ry I see you again In that old town far away Beneath skies of Spain.
Imagining a memory of the city in the past, evoking nostalgic feelings.
That city of tender romances, So shy were your glaces And swift as the sunshine that dances Through the Orange Grove.
Portraying the city as a place of love and romantic encounters, where even the glances of strangers are significant.
Valencia!
Repeating the address to the city with emphasis on its significance and beauty.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSE PADILLA, LUCIEN BOYER, JACQUES CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hebneh
For some reason this song came into my brain today, causing me to search for it on YouTube to hear it again.
Starduster
This is a very typical song here in Valencia, every times “Fallas” came, this song is played by local bands throughout the streets, and knowing that Paul Whiteman got a version of it makes me very happy
Dis777Ease
Beautiful
Kleovoulo's 78s
Do the other side of the record "No more worryin" (1926) please.
Spencer Smith
Ah! I can smell the oranges!
Donnie Dewitt
Invention of morel fans know what’s up
Donnie Dewitt
@Danilo Almeida a man of culture
Danilo Almeida
came here to know what it sounds like😉