WOODY HERMAN AND THE YOUNG THUNDERING HERD

 

 

As Franklin D. Roosevelt was being swept back into office on
Election Night in 1936, history of another kind was being made at
the Roseland Ballroom in Brooklyn. At the age of 23, Woodrow
Charles Herman took over the leadership of the former Isham Jones
Band and turned it into “The Band That Plays the Blues.”

That band became the first of many Herman's Herds which
have become legendary. Now in his 42nd year as a band leader,
Herman is still going strong. When he received an Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Music from Berklee in 1977, President Lawrence
Berk said, in part, “For over four decades his name has been syn-
onymous with jazz excellence. In an age when jazz groups have come
and gone as quickly as the years, his music has remained a constant,
astandard for all others to match. His musical flexibility, his unerring
judgement of talent, his willingness to open his ears to the younger
performers and writers and, above all, his sheer enthusiasm have
firmly established him as the most respected of band leaders . . .”

Born in Milwaukee, Herman began his career at the age of eight
as a tap dancer and, most importantly, as a clarinetist. His single-
mindedness about his music almost got him into trouble at school,
but the late Sister Fabian interceded for him, recognizing his unique
musical talent. &

In return Woody established a scholarship fdnd in her name
at his alma mater for students intending to study jazz. In a recent
scholarship concert in Milwaukee, Herman announced the release
of his newest recording, “Road Father,” dedicated to Berklee alumnus
and former Herdsman Bill Chase who died in an airplane crash.
Chase’s parents had told Woody that Bill had always considered
Woody his “road father.”

The Young Thundering Herd will perform several cuts from
the album in this concert including a Gary Anderson arrangement
of Faure’s “Pavane,” “Sugar Loaf Mountain,” written and arranged
by Alan Broadbent and the Woody Herman trademark, “Wood-
chopper’s Ball.”

 

 

Personnel >
Tenor Sax Frank Tiberi Trombone Birch Johnson
Tenor Sax Joe Lovano* Trombone Larry Sarrell
Baritone Sax Bruce Johnstone Trombone Jim Daniels
Trumpet Jay Sollenberger Piano Dave Lalama
Trumpet Nelson Hatt Bass Mark Johnson*
Trumpet Glenn Drewes Percussion John Riley*

Trumpet Dennis Dotson
Trumpet Bill Byrne *Berklee alumnus