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Ben Pollack and his Orchestra

(Excerpt from Ben Pollack: Profile in Jazz, by Scott Yanow)

Ben PollackUnfortunately Ben Pollack was still thinking of himself as a singer (he had a weak voice) and often ended recordings with the corny phrase “May it please you, Ben Pollack.” Worse was that Pollack had become more interested in promoting his girlfriend Doris Robbins as a singer (she was an average vocalist) and an actress than he was in leading his band. One can see that in a film short from 1934 where the jazz is de-emphasized and Robbins and Pollack sing together on “Love Me Tonight.”

Of the 13 recordings made by the Ben Pollack Orchestra in 1934, Doris Robbins sings on four songs, Joe Harris (trying to emulate Teagarden) is on seven, there is one vocal by Pollack, and the only instrumental is a forgettable rhumba number. Virtually no jazz of interest was recorded.

In Sept. 1934 during an engagement in Los Angeles, the band had a mutiny and all of the musicians left Pollack. They would soon reform as the Bob Crosby Orchestra. Pollack, who was still just 31, hurriedly put together a new big band to fulfill engagements and in 1935 married Doris Robbins, a union that lasted until their 1940 divorce. She never recorded again nor made any films.

ben-pollackThe Ben Pollack Orchestra next appeared on records in 1936 and Pollack’s band was once again filled with impressive players. The sidemen included trumpeters Harry James, Shorty Sherock, and Charlie Spivak, Glenn Miller (who was temporarily back on trombone), clarinetist Irving Fazola, and pianist Freddie Slack, with tenor-saxophonist Dave Matthews contributing many of the arrangements. Pollack, who was back on drums, was still singing a little but was wise enough to feature Harry James (who was then 20) quite a bit including on “Spreadin’ Knowledge Around,” “Zoom Zoom Zoom,” “Jimtown Blues,” and “Peckin’.”

However Pollack was now considered in the minor leagues and his lineup was ripe for other more prosperous bandleaders to raid. By January 1937 James was part of Pollack’s former sideman Benny Goodman’s big band and his other top players were soon lured away.

Pollack moved to Los Angeles where he led a new band in 1937 filled with fine local players plus the great cornetist Muggsy Spanier. In addition to a series of big band titles, he led a small-group from the orchestra, called Ben Pollack’s Pick-A-Rib Boys (featuring Spanier), and accompanied Connee Boswell on some of her recordings. Spanier stayed with Pollack until a serious illness knocked him out of action. The hot trumpet chair was taken by Clyde Hurley in 1938 (who later joined Glenn Miller) and finally by Andy Secrest who is on the last Pollack big band recordings. It is ironic that while many of his former sidemen (Goodman, Teagarden, James, Slack, and much of the Bob Crosby Orchestra) were major names, Pollack (who was still only 36 in 1939) was becoming increasingly forgotten by the end of the 1930s.

Thanks to Wim van der Brugghen and Owen Miller for their help with this page.

TitleRecording DateRecording LocationCompany
After You’ve Gone
Vocal Chorus by Paula Gayle

(Henry Creamer / Turner Layton)
4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2057 A
Alone On The Range
(Mabel Wayne / Mack David)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2910-D
As Long As I Live8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2005
Beale Street Blues (Duke Wilson and His Ten Black Berries)
(W.C. Handy)
3-2-1931New York, New YorkPerfect
15617

10422-5
Beale Street Blues
(W.C. Handy)
3-2-1931New York, New Yorkunissued
10422-6
Cryin’ For The Carolines
(Lewis / Young / Warren)
1-15-1930New York, New YorkHit Of The Week
Dancing In The Moonlight
(Gus Kahn / Walter Donaldson)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2901-D
Deep Elm
(William R. Clay / Willard Robison)
12-18-1936Hollywood, CaliforniaVariety
504
Vocalion
3769
Deep Jungle
(Mannono / Ben Pollack)
12-28-1933New York, New YorkColumbia
2879-D
Everybody’s Doin’ It4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1891
Freckle Face, You’re Beautiful
(Cliff Friend / Carmen Lombardo)
5-29-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2931-D
Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule
(Al Dubin / Harry Warren)
3-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2886-D
Got The Jitters
(Loeb / Rose / Webster)
12-28-1933New York, New YorkColumbia
2870-D
Have You Ever Been In Heaven?8-31-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1476
Here Goes
(Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2905-D
I Couldn’t Be Mad At You
(Bob Rothberg / Joseph Meyer)
9-15-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7751
If I Could Be With You
(One Hour Tonight)

(Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0747
Broadway
1409

9819-2
If I Could Be With You
(One Hour Tonight)

(Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0747
Broadway
1409

9819-3
If I Could Be With You
(One Hour Tonight)

(Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0747
Broadway
1409

9819-4
If You Ever Should Leave8-31-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1435
I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas
(Phil Baxter)
2-12-1931New York, New YorkCrown
91088

10418-1
I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas
(Phil Baxter)
2-12-1931New York, New YorkCrown
91088

10418-2
I’m Dependable (You Can Count On Me)8-31-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1435
I’m Following You
(Dreyer / Macdonald)
1-15-1930New York, New YorkHit Of The Week
I’m Full Of The Devil
From M.G.M. Picture “Fugitive Lovers”

(Jimmy McHugh / Dorthy Fields)
12-28-1933New York, New YorkColumbia
2870-D
I’m One Step Ahead Of My Shadow
(Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin)
9-15-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7751
I’m Yours For The Asking8-26-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1424
In A Sentimental Mood12-18-1936Hollywood, CaliforniaVariety
556
Vocalion
3819
I’ve Got A Warm Spot For You
(Harold Spina / Johnny burke)
5-29-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2931-D
I’ve Got Five Dollars
(Hart / Rodgers)
2-12-1931New York, New YorkRomeo
1576
Jimtown Blues
(Charlie Davis)
9-16-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7764
Linger A Little Longer In The Twilight
(Woods / Campbell / Connelly)
3-19-1933Chicago, IllinoisVictor
24284
Looking At The World Through Rose-Colored Glasses4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2057 B
Mama, I Want More Rhythm8-31-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1476
Meet the Beat Of My Heart8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2005
My Little Grass Shack In Kealekakua, Hawaii
(Bill Cogswell / Tommy Harrison / Johnny Noble)
3-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2886-D
Naturally8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2012
Night On The Desert
(Billy Hill)
5-29-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2929-D
Now Or Never
Vocal refrain by Jim Hardy

(Sam Lewis / Peter DeRose)
9-16-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7747
Ole Mammy Ain’t Gonna Sing No More
(James V. Monaco / Herb Magidson / Maurice Sigler)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2901-D
Peckin’12-18-1936Hollywood, CaliforniaVariety
556
Vocalion
3819
Rollin’ Down The River
(Adams / Waller)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0752
9818-1
Rollin’ Down The River
(Adams / Waller)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0752
9818-2
Rollin’ Down The River
(Adams-Waller)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0752
9818-3
Sing A Song Of Sixpence8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2006
Sing-Song Girl1-21-1931New York, New YorkRegal
10250
Sleepy Head
(Gus Kahn / Walter Donaldson)
5-29-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2929-D
So Unexpectedly8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2012
Song Of The Islands
(Charles King)
9-15-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7764
Song Of The Islands
(Charles King)
8-26-1937Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1424
Spreadin’ Knowledge Around
(The Dean and His Kids)
9-16-1936New York, New YorkVocalion
3342
Sweet And Hot
(Jack Yellen / Harold Arlen)
3-2-1931New York, New YorkPerfect
15431

10417-4
Sweet And Hot
(Jack Yellen / Harold Arlen)
3-2-1931New York, New YorkBanner
10417-5
Swing Out
(Ben Pollack / Wingy Manone)
12-28-1933New York, New YorkColumbia
2879-D
The Beat Of My Heart
(Burke / Spina)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2905-D
The Moon Is Grinning At Me12-18-1936Hollywood, CaliforniaVariety
504
Vocalion
3769
The Voodoo
(Don Azpiazu / Marion Sunshine)
2-23-1934New York, New YorkColumbia
2906-D
There’s A Wah-Wah Gal Down in Agua Caliente
(Donaldson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0750

9820-1
There’s A Wah-Wah Gal Down in Agua Caliente
(Donaldson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0750

9820-2
There’s A Wah-Wah Gal Down in Agua Caliente
(Donaldson)
6-23-1930New York, New YorkBanner
0750

9820-3
There’s Rain In My Eyes4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1815
This Is The Life / The International Rag4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1891
Thru’ The Courtesy Of Love
(Jack Scholl / M.K. Jerome)
9-15-1936New York, New YorkBrunswick
7747
Two Tickets To Georgia
(Young / Tobias / Coots)
3-19-1933Chicago, IllinoisVictor
24284

75412-2
Two Tickets To Georgia
(Young / Tobias / Coots)
3-19-1933Chicago, IllinoisVictor
24284

75412-2R
What Are You Doing Tonight?8-4-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
2005 B
(When You Fall In Love)
Fall In Love With Me
1-21-1931New York, New YorkRegal
10250
You Didn’t Have To Tell Me
(I Knew It All The Time)

(Walter Donaldson)
1-21-1931New York, New YorkRegal
10266
You’ll Be Reminded Of Me4-18-1938Los Angeles, CaliforniaDecca
1815
Zoom Zoom Zoom
(The Dean and His Kids)
9-16-1936New York, New YorkVocalion
3342

ArtistInstrument
Don AndersonTrumpet
Ray BauducDrums
Al BellerViolin
Ed BergmanViolin
Larry BinyonClarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Sterling BoseTrumpet
Gil BowersPiano
Vic BriedisPiano
Bud CarltonClarinet, Alto Saxophone
Opie CatesAlto Saxophone
Shirley ClayTrumpet
Ray CohenViolin
Ralph CopseyTrombone
Irving FazolaClarinet
Frank FredericoGuitar
Mort FriedmanTenor Saxophone
Paula GayleVocals
Benny GoodmanClarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet
Harry GoodmanBrass Bass, String Bass
Bob GoodrichTrumpet
Earle HagenTrombone
Alan HardingTenor Saxophone
Jim HardyVocals
Al HarrisCornet
Joe HarrisTrombone
Bob HemphillGuitar
George HillTenor Saxophone
Frances HuntVocals
Clyde HurleyTrumpet
Harry JamesTrumpet
Jerry JohnsonString Bass
Ben KanterClarinet, Alto Saxophone
Dean KincaideAlto Saxophone
Bob LainePiano
Nappy LamareGuitar, Vocals
Yank LawsonTrumpet
Peyton LegareAlto Saxophone
Jim LynchString Bass
Carol MackayVocals
Peggy MannVocals
Matty MatlockClarinet, Alto Saxophone
Dave MatthewsTenor Saxophone
Garry McAdamsGuitar
Jimmie McPartlandCornet
Joe MeyerTrumpet
Eddie MillerClarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Glenn MillerTrombone
Dick MorganBanjo
Benny MortonTrombone
Francis PalmerString Bass
Ben PollackDrums, Leader, Vocals
Sammy PragerPiano
Joe PriceSteel Guitar
Frankie QuartellCornet
Artie QuenzerTenor Saxophone
Doris RobbinsVocals
Gil RodinClarinet, Alto Saxophone
Babe RussinTenor Saxophone
Bill SchumannCello
Andy SecrestTrumpet
Shorty SherockTrumpet
Freddy SlackPiano
Muggsy SpanierTrumpet
Charlie SpivakTrumpet
Bruce SquiresTrombone
Graham StevensonDrums
Lois StillVocals
Slim TaftString Bass
Sammy TaylorDrums
Charlie TeagardenTrumpet
Jack TeagardenTrombone, Vocals
Thurman TeagueString Bass
Carroll ThompsonGuitar
George ThowTrumpet
Ruby WeinsteinTrumpet
Ray WoodsTrumpet
Joe YuklTrombone

 

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