Blue Barron (November 19, 1913 – July 16, 2005), born Herschel
Freidman, was an American orchestra leader in the 1930’s and early 1950s during
the "Big Band" era. His band's more subdued tone was referred to as
"Sweet" music to distinguish it from the "Swing" bands of
the era. Barron's orchestra began in the New
York City area but later toured the U.S. and performed at popular venues in Los Angeles where they also appeared in several motion pictures and recorded a number of LPs.
York City area but later toured the U.S. and performed at popular venues in Los Angeles where they also appeared in several motion pictures and recorded a number of LPs.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, Freidman studied
at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio before going into show business. (Musical
references give differing spellings for his name, including Freedlin, but a
niece of the bandleader believes the spelling Freidman is correct.)
Originally an impresario in his home town, he formed his
own band in the mid-30s and took the name Blue Barron after briefly managing
the band of the young Sammy Kaye. With a clear eye on the cash register, he
adopted a musical policy that catered for the sweetest levels of popular taste.
Heralded by his sugary signature
tune, ‘Sometimes I’m Happy’, he became very successful, securing important hotel and dance hall circuit bookings in the late 30s and throughout the 40s
tune, ‘Sometimes I’m Happy’, he became very successful, securing important hotel and dance hall circuit bookings in the late 30s and throughout the 40s
His first group played on the Floating Palace showboat at
Troy, New York, in October 1936. A newspaper report said the group "made
an overnight hit at the Floating Palace and remained there for 22 weeks. In
1937, the orchestra made its network radio debut from the Southern Tavern in
Cleveland, and that exposure helped to publicize Barron's name. The band opened
in the Green Room of the Edison on January 5, 1938. Barron was heard not only
on NBC's Red and Blue radio networks, but also on the CBS and
Mutual systems where his own makeshift orchestra was sometimes augmented by jazz guest stars of distinction.
Mutual systems where his own makeshift orchestra was sometimes augmented by jazz guest stars of distinction.
Singer Tommy Ryan fronted the band while Barron served in
the US Forces during World War II, and when he returned, Barron had popular
record successes with ‘Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba’, ‘You Were Only Fooling (While I Was
Falling In Love)’, ‘Powder Your Face With Sunshine’, ‘Whose Girl Are You’, ‘Are
You Lonesome Tonight?’ and ‘Let Me In.’ Barron
hit number 1 for two weeks in 1949 with "Cruising Down The River".
The record sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status.
The Blue Barron orchestra stayed at the Edison Hotel
throughout the 1940's and also played on the road and appeared in the movie
shorts "Melody Master: Blue Barron and His Orchestra (1939),"
"Paramount Headliner: Blue Barron and His Orchestra" (1940) and
"Blue Barron and His Orchestra (1952)."
He was able to work in the industry until the Big Band
era gave way to new musical forms. For his contribution to the recording
industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street.
The band continued until 1956 before changing musical
trends made it no longer financially viable. Barron still led bands at sporadic engagements into the
1960s and also performed with his wife, singer Patty Zych (aka Patty Clayton),
on the hotel circuit. He then exited the music business and pursued a career in real
estate management.
He died in his sleep on 16 July, 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland,
age 91 and is interred in Arlington Cemetery of Chizuk Amuno in Baltimore.
(Compiled and edited from Wikipedia, Big Band Library,
New York Times & All Music)
2 comments:
For “The Uncollected Blue Barron And His Orchestra 1938-1941” go here:
https://www.upload.ee/files/9209184/Blue_Barron.rar.html
1. Sometimes I'm Happy 0:54
2. Love Is Where You Find It (voc. Charlie Fisher) 2:25
3. Heart And Soul (voc. Russ Carlyle) 2:40
4. That's Right, I'm Wrong (voc. Charlie Fisher) 2:24
5. At Long Last Love (voc. Russ Carlyle) 2:31
6. You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven (voc. Russ Carlyle) 2:42
7. Don't Cross Your Fingers (Cross Your Heart) (voc. Charlie Fisher) 2:10
8. Garden In The Rain (voc. Russ Carlyle) 2:36
9. Bluebirds In The Moonlight (voc. Charlie Fisher) 2:45
10. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider (voc. Three Blue Notes) 2:12
11. I Guess I'll Have To Dream The Rest (voc. Jimmy Brown) 4:02
12. Do You Care (voc. Jimmy Brown) 3:34
13. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me (voc. Three Blue Notes) 2:07
14. The Things I Love (voc. Russ Carlyle)3:31
15. Fancy Meeting You (voc. Charlie Fisher) 2:18
16. Maria Elena (voc. Russ Carlyle) 3:24
17. You Are My Sunshine (voc. Three Blue Notes) 2:14
18. Yesterday And Today 1:15
Plus a bonus track (today's mp3)
19. Cruising Down The River (1949)
Thank you, boppinbob - much appreciated!
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