Patrick Murtha
Practically Family
- Messages
- 651
- Location
- Wisconsin
Mike1939 said:Charlie Barnet: Drop me off in Harlem
The great Charlie Barnet! One of my favorite figures in 20th century popular music. The title of that song you listened to is apt, because white bandleader Barnet was an "outspoken admirer of Count Basie and Duke Ellington" (and on very good terms with them), and integrated his band in the mid-Thirties. His band was called the "Blackest White Band of Them All!" He had a knack for spotting talent and was color-blind about it; he was an early employer of singer Lena Horne. By all accounts a tremendously fun guy and a great leader to work for, Barnet was also wickedly handsome and irresistible; he was married ten times! (or more; the details get fuzzy).