Charlie Spivak(February 17, 1907 – March 1, 1982) was an Americantrumpeterandbandleader,best known for hisbig bandin the 1940s.
| Charlie Spivak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | February 17, 1907[1] Kyiv,Russian Empire(nowUkraine) |
| Died | March 1, 1982 (aged 75) |
| Genres | Jazz,Big band |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader,Musician |
| Instrument | Trumpet |
Early life
editThe details of Spivak's birth are unclear. Some sources place it inUkrainein 1907, and that his family emigrated to settle inNew Haven, Connecticutwhile he was a child. According to his personal papers, the former scenario is correct.[1][2]He learned to play trumpet and played in hishigh schoolband, going on to work with local groups before joining Johnny Cavallaro's orchestra.[2]
Big band era and style
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(December 2022) |
He played withPaul Specht's band for most of 1924 to 1930, then spent time withBen Pollack(1931–1934), the brothersTommyandJimmy Dorsey(1934–1935), andRay Noble(1935–1936).[2]He played on "Solo Hop"in 1935 byGlenn Millerand theGlenn Miller Orchestra.He spent 1936 and 1937 mostly working as a studio musician withGus Arnheim,Glenn Miller,Raymond Scott's radio orchestra, and others, followed by periods withBob Crosby(1938),Tommy Dorsey(1938–1939), andJack Teagarden(1939).
Finally, with the encouragement and financial backing of Glenn Miller, he formed his own band in November 1939.[3]Though it failed within a year, he tried again shortly afterwards, this time taking over the existing band of Bill Downer and making a success of it. Spivak's band was one of the most successful in the 1940s, and survived until 1959.[2]He scouted top trumpeterPaul Fredricks(formerly ofAlvino Rey's Orchestra) just as Fredricks left the service at the end of World War II, in 1946. Fredricks was instrumental in the band's success in the coming years as it reached its peak.[4]
Spivak's experience playing with jazz musicians had little effect on his own band's style, which was straight dance music, made up mainly of ballads and popular tunes. Spivak himself (known as "Cheery, Chubby Charlie" ) had been noted for his trumpet's sweet tone and his strength for playing lead parts, rather than for any improvisational ability. He was also known as "The Man Who Plays The Sweetest Trumpet In The World".
A number of the band's musicians were to make names for themselves, including drummerDave Tough,bassistJimmy Middleton,trumpetersLes ElgartandPaul Fredricks,saxophonistDon Raffell,trombonistNelson Riddle,trombonistJimmy Knepper,and singersJune HuttonandIrene Daye.(Daye and Spivak married in 1950.). Riddle was also responsible for many of the band's arrangements, together withSonny Burke.The lateManny Albamalso arranged for the Spivak band.
Later career
editWhen the Spivak orchestra broke up, he went to live inFlorida,where he continued to lead a band until illness led to his temporary retirement in 1963. On his recovery, he continued to lead large and small bands, first inLas Vegas,then in South Carolina. InGreenville, South Carolinain 1967, he led a small group featuring his wife as vocalist. She died in 1971 after a long illness with cancer.[2]
During this time, Spivak was also resident band leader for a restaurant-nightclub, "Ye Olde Fireplace", inGreenville, South Carolina.[5]He played trumpet in the dance band that included a drummer, saxophonist, bass player and pianist. The band played standards from the big band era, but also took requests from the audience.[6]
Spivak continued to play and record until his death in Greenville in 1982, shortly after his 75th birthday.
Family
editSpivak first married Freda Braverman in 1932. The marriage ended in divorce in 1947. He subsequently married his vocalist,Irene Daye,in 1950.[7] He married Wilma (Dubby) Hayes in 1974 - the third marriage for both of them. She is still alive in Roanoke, Alabama. Spivak's eldest son, Joel A. Spivak, was a television and radio broadcaster primarily in thePhiladelphia,Los Angeles,andWashington, D.C.areas. Spivak's younger son, Steven Glenn Spivak, is a public relations manager in northern California. Spivak's stepson, Kevin Ingram, lives in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the owner of The Charlie Spivak Orchestra.[citation needed]
Discography
edit- 1958:Pinciana(Design)
- 1977:Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra 1943–46(Hindsight)
- 1985:Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra(Ranwood)
- 1993:For Sentimental Reasons(Vintage Jazz Classics)
- 2002:Dance Date(Collectors' Choice)
- 2005:What's Cookin' Charlie '41–'47
References
edit- ^abSpivak personal papers,libguides.furman.edu. Accessed December 18, 2022.
- ^abcdeColin Larkin,ed. (1992).The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.p. 2346.ISBN0-85112-939-0.
- ^"Charlie Spivak | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links".AllMusic.Retrieved2021-07-19.
- ^The Big Band Almanac(revised ed.; paperback), by Leo Walker(néLeo Edward Walker; 1910–1995),Da Capo Press(1989), pps. 380 & 381;OCLC18873553
- ^"Big Band Library: Charlie Spivak:" Stardreams "".Bigbandlibrary.com.Retrieved2021-07-19.
- ^"Charlie Spivak Settles Down at Fireplace".Reading Eagle (AP Article: Cleveland, SC).December 26, 1976. p. 26.Retrieved30 April2014.
- ^Spivak personal papers,libguides.furman.edu. Accessed December 18, 2022.
External links
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