King of Jazz: PAUL WHITEMAN / George Gershwin 1948 Springfield Benefit Program

Description

This is a rare October 23rd, 1948 program (playbill) from the
one-night Benefit Concert engagement of PAUL WHITEMAN and his Orchestra and Soloists at the State Armory in Springfield, Illinois. The tribute to the music of GEORGE GERSHWIN was a benefit to raise funds for St. John's Crippled Children's School and Hospital. The All-Gershwin program included solo performances by Mr. RUSSELL McINTYRE, Pianist JANE ANDERSON, Miss EUGENIE BAIRD, Mr. MIKE PINGATORE and, Mr. AL GALLODORO ..... Biography: PAUL WHITEMAN (
1890
— 1967)
was an
American bandleader, called the “King of Jazz
” for popularizing a musical style that helped to introduce jazz to mainstream audiences during the 1920's and 1930's.
Whiteman, who was originally a violinist, conducted a 40-piece U.S. Navy band
in 1917–18 and then developed a hotel orchestra
in California, which he took to New York City
in 1920. He hired the best white jazz players, but he allowed little room for improvisation in his arrangements and greatly simplified jazz rhythms. He was successful as a co-composer of popular songs during the 1920's and led his orchestra in Broadway musicals.
Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin's
Rhapsody in Blue
and conducted it's premiere at Aeolian Hall, New York City, in 1924, with the composer as piano soloist. Whiteman also introduced the
Grand Canyon Suite
(1931) by Ferde Grofe,
who had arranged the
Rhapsody.
The
Rhapsody
became Whiteman’s theme, and he established the Whiteman Awards for compositions
in a “symphonic jazz” style. The 1930 film
King of Jazz
was the first of four in which his orchestra appeared. Whiteman was the host of several national radio programs during the 1930's, wrote three books
, and recorded extensively. His popularity waned in the late 1940's, but he came back as a television-series host in the 1950's and occasionally led bands up to the time of his death. (Britannica)
..... DETAILS: The oversized eight page playbill measures 8 1/2" X 11" inches and includes production credits, list of musical selections, list of soloists and bios of Whiteman and two of the soloists ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a fold across the middle and light creasing, this playbill is in excellent condition and will become a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or music historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.