Jerry Wald(1918-1973)
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Clarinettist and bandleader, born Jervis Wald on January 15 in Newark,
New Jersey. Jerry started on soprano saxophone at the age of seven,
later taking up alto sax and clarinet. His role model was "the king of
the clarinet", Artie Shaw. This reflected
strongly in his playing and led to comparisons being drawn, which Jerry
eventually came to resent. In 1941, he formed his own orchestra in New
York, enjoying lengthy residencies at the Lincoln Hotel and at the
Panther Room of the Hotel Sherman in Chicago. The band's theme song was
"Call of the Wild". A number of good arrangements were provided by
Ray Conniff and
Jerry Gray. Sidemen included several
illustrious former Shaw alumni, notably saxophonist
Les Robinson, guitarist Art
Ryerson, bassist Sid Weiss and
trumpeter Bernie Privin. A good swinging outfit, Wald's 15-piece band
adopted a more progressive sound by the late
1940's. Recording contracts were with Decca, Majestic and Columbia. Moreover, Wald was featured on the Robert Q. Lewis
radio show.
Wald fronted a smaller combo in Hollywood at the Studio Club, and, in 1951, started up another big band in Los Angeles. He later moved back to New York and worked in both radio and television.
Wald fronted a smaller combo in Hollywood at the Studio Club, and, in 1951, started up another big band in Los Angeles. He later moved back to New York and worked in both radio and television.