Charlie Spivak

Charlie Spivak was a popular American bandleader and trumpeter, most prominent during the swing era (roughly 1933 - 1947). Born on February 17, 1907, Spivak's early career was spent performing with some of the period's top bands, including the orchestras of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and Glenn Miller as well as Bob Crosby's small Dixieland combo the Bob Cats. As a bandleader himself, Spivak became known as "The Man Who Plays the Sweetest Trumpet in the World" and drew favourable comparisons to Harry James, America's number one trumpet idol of the 1940s. Though he never achieved the same level of fame or critical aclaim as some of his contemporaries, such as Miller, James, the Dorseys or Benny Goodman, his records were consistently popular, especially during World War II. Spivak continued to lead his orchestra until his death on March 1, 1982, a week after his 78th birthday.

Tags