Woody Herman: A Centenary Celebration

Celebrating 100 years of legendary band leader Woody Herman.

Born in Milwaukee on the 16th of May 1913 Woodrow Herman worked as a child entertainer in vaudeville before taking up the saxophone at the age of 12. He joined the Isham Jones Orchestra before forming his own band in 1936. For the next 50 years the name Woody Herman would become synonymous with some of the most exciting big band sounds ever heard.

Clare Teal looks back at Woody's long career and features music from every period - ranging from the swing of the 1930's through the emergence of bebop to the electronic sounds of the 1970's. Featured recordings include Blue Prelude, Caldonia, Wild Root, Hallelujah Time and The Four Brothers. Plus rare archive material from Woody's BBC TV appearances of the 1960's and 70's.