Artist's albums
Golden Selection (Remastered)
2020 · album
1938 Live In Hi-Fi
2006 · album
Shuffle in Style
1966 · album
Similar artists
Mills Blue Rhythm Band
Artist
Charlie Spivak
Artist
Glen Gray
Artist
Casa Loma Orchestra
Artist
Gene Krupa & His Orchestra
Artist
Will Bradley
Artist
Jimmy Dorsey
Artist
Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Artist
Earl Hines & His Orchestra
Artist
Erskine Hawkins
Artist
Adrian Rollini
Artist
Bunny Berigan
Artist
Larry Clinton
Artist
Jimmie Lunceford
Artist
Andy Kirk
Artist
Bob Crosby & His Orchestra
Artist
Chick Webb
Artist
Biography
The birth date of violinist, vocalist, arranger, and bandleader Jan Savitt is in dispute; although his birthday is officially listed as September 4, 1913, Savitt could have been born as early as 1908. Savitt's father played in Tsar Nicholas II's Imperial Regiment Band, and his family came to America in 1914. Savitt played violin as a child, and was invited to join the Philadelphia Orchestra at 15. He studied both in Europe and at the Curtis Institute, and in the '30s formed a string quartet that had a nationally broadcast show. He formed his Top Hatters band in 1937 and began touring in 1938. A child prodigy and accomplished player, his real fame came as a bandleader. His groups were thoroughly practiced and disciplined, with an ensemble sound considered among the finest of the era. Their signature song was "Quaker City Jazz," and they had a big hit with "720 in the Books." Savitt's band included vocalist George Tunnell, who used the name Bon Bon and was one of the first Black singers or instrumentalists to work with a white band. The group had a number of his in the '40s, then made some low-budget films in 1946 and 1947. Savitt died suddenly while on a tour in 1948. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi