Doctor Jazz

Woody Herman and his Orchestra

1939

In this 1939 footage clarinetist Woody Herman conducts and sings with his Orchestra through King Oliver’s classic composition “Doctor Jazz”, most famously recorded by Jelly Roll Morton.

Woody Herman’s first band became known for its orchestrations of the blues and was sometimes billed as “The Band That Plays The Blues”. This group recorded for the Decca label, at first serving as a cover band, doing songs by other Decca artists. Their first record featuring the song “Wintertime Blues” and was cut on November 6, 1936.

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