orig. Woodrow Charles Herman
born May 16, 1913, Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.
died Oct. 29, 1987, Los Angeles, Calif.
U.S. clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and leader of one of the most popular big bands in jazz .
Herman formed his first band in 1936. Known as "The Band That Plays the Blues," the group had a hit in 1939 with the riff tune "Woodchopper's Ball." His 1940s bands, the Thundering Herds, evolved into powerful and colourful ensembles that combined a light rhythm-section sound with explosive, forward-looking arrangements. He led his bands almost continuously for more than 50 years, and in them many notable jazz musicians gained early professional exposure.