Decades ago, a classic Fletcher Henderson four-LP set was titled A Study In Frustration. I always thought that that title was inaccurate as far as Henderson’s music went, but it would be a perfect summation of the life and musical career of Ben Pollack. While he was involved in many rewarding performances, Pollack fell short of the great potential that he showed as a bandleader during 1926-27, and he must have been very frustrated at the way things turned out.
Early Years and NORK
He was born June 22, 1903 in Chicago. After first hearing jazz while sitting outside of Chicago clubs, he took up the drums as a teenager. Pollack had his own kids’ band while in high school and his early jobs included working regularly with a group led by Dick Schoenberg in 1921 and playing with pianist Izzy Wagner.
Pollack enjoyed seeing the performances of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Once when the NORK’s drummer Frank Snyder said that he was not interested in playing at a jam session featuring the band, Pollack talked his way into the group and did such a good job that he took over the position. The 19-year old made his recording debut with the NORK in 1923, appearing on four sessions including the earliest recordings of “That’s A Plenty,” “Weary Blues,” “Tin Roof Blues” (which he co-wrote), and “Angry” in addition to the numbers that Jelly Roll Morton recorded with the grou
