The Artie Shaw Orchestra May 15, 2010

On the eve of America's entry into World War II, Time magazine reported that to the German masses the United States meant "sky-scrapers, Clark Gable, and Artie Shaw." Over seventy years later, his Big Band still remains one of the most swingingest outfits around. The Artie Shaw Orchestra, under the direction of Rich Chiaraluce, hews to the Shaw legacy, and continues with the time-tested formula that has always pleased a full spectrum of audiences for over 60 years; from the "Begin the Beguine" fans of yesteryear to the new jazz fans who want to imbibe in an exciting and heady evening of Swing.Artie ShawArtie Shaw was born in New York City on May 23,1910 and is now the only survivor of the top echelon of bandleader/soloists from the great swing era of 1935-45. He made his first public appearance as a leader in 1936, in a Swing Concert (history's first) held at Broadway's Imperial Theatre. Shaw could scarcely have known that within a short time he would make a hit record of a song called Begin the Beguine, which he now jokingly refers to as "a nice little tune from one of Cole Porter's very few flop shows." Shortly before that he had hired Billie Holiday as his band vocalist (the first white bandleader to employ a black female singer as a full-time member of his band). The break-through hit record catapulted him into the ranks of top bandleaders and he was immediately dubbed the new "King of Swing". Today, Shaw's recording of Begin the Beguine sells thousands and has become one of the best-selling records in history.In 1954 Artie Shaw made his last public appearance as an instrumentalist when he put together a new Gramercy 5 made up of such superb modern musicians as pianist Hank Jones, guitarist Tal Farlow, bassist Tommy Potter, et al. He gave his blessing in the 1980s to an "Artie Shaw Orchestra" led by Dick Johnson.The Artie Shaw Orchestra was looking for a clarinet player in January 2008 to front the band. Rich Chiaraluce received a call from Bill Curtis, manager of the orchestra, and has been the featured artist ever since. It is work he loves. Rich has performed with many of the famous singers from the American Songbook Era including Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Dakota Stanton, and Natalie Cole. The clarinet has always been his horn and keeping the tradition of clarinet playing alive is important to him.With the retirement of former director and clarinetist Dick Johnson, Rich Chiaraluce took the lead. The legendary music of Artie Shaw lives on.Cost : A: $35 B: $25