Jan Savitt

Jan Savitt
Background information
Birth name Jacob Savetnick
Born (1907-09-04)September 4, 1907
Shumsk, Russian Empire
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died October 4, 1948(1948-10-04) (aged 41)
Sacramento, California
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Bandleader, arranger, musician
Instruments Violin
Associated acts The Top Hatters; George Tunnell

Jan Savitt (born Jacob Savetnick; September 4, 1907 – October 4, 1948), known as "The Stokowski of Swing",[1] from having played violin in Stokowski's orchestra,[2] was an American bandleader, musical arranger, and violinist.

Early life and education

Savitt was born in Shumsk, then part of the Russian Empire (now part of Ukraine) and reared in Philadelphia. He evidenced musical ability an early age and began winning conservatory scholarships in the study of the violin. He was offered the position of concert master in Leopold Stokowski's Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, but turned it down, preferring to continue his studies at Curtis Institute. About a year later, believing himself ready, he joined Stokowski and the association continued for seven years, during which time Savitt gained further laurels as a concert soloist and leader of a string quartet. Savitt was married to model Barbara Ann Stillwell from 1940 until his death in 1948, and had one daughter with her, Jo Ann, in 1943. Jo Ann was married to Joel Douglas, son of Kirk, from 2004 until her death in 2013.

Career

His band The Top Hatters was formed in 1937 and began touring the following year. Their songs include "720 in the Books", "It's A Wonderful World" and his theme songs "Quaker City Jazz" and "From Out of Space". Savitt was one of the first of the big band leaders to feature an African American vocalist, George Tunnell (named "Bon Bon"). His other vocalists were Carlotta Dale, Allan DeWitt, Joe Martin, and Gloria DeHaven. His band names include Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters, the Jan Savitt String Orchestra and Jan Savitt & His Orchestra. Jan Savitt's Top Hatters included Dorsey, Jack, and Charlotte Kay (Charlotte Dubin Broselow Woodward). In 1938, Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters broadcast from 5–5:30 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as the KYW staff orchestra at KYW/NBC in Philadelphia. Saturday's weekly broadcast was one hour, coast-to-coast. The group also played at the Earl Theatre and performed with The Andrews Sisters and The Three Stooges.

He got his start in popular music some time later as music director of KYW, Philadelphia, where he evolved the unique "shuffle rhythm" which remained his trademark. Numerous sustaining programs created such a demand for the "shuffle rhythm" that Savitt left KYW to form his own dance crew.

Savitt recorded short pieces for the National Broadcasting System's Thesaurus series, probably in the 1940s. These were pieces radio stations used as 'fillers' just prior to network programs, which would begin precisely on the hour or half-hour. Disc 1143 in the Thesaurus catalogue features four selections by the Jan Savitt Orchestra on one side of the 33 1/3 transcription: "The Masquarade is Over I'm Afraid"; "If I Didn't Care"; "Ring Dem Bells", and "Romance Runs in the Family".

Death

Shortly before arriving in Sacramento, California, with his orchestra on Saturday, October 2, 1948, for a concert scheduled for that evening at Memorial Auditorium, Savitt was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and taken to Sacramento County Hospital. Savitt died on October 4, with his wife at his bedside.[3]

The Top Hatters

These musicians played with Savitt as The Top Hatters:[4]

Al Leopold, Charles Jensen, Cutty Cutshall, Ed Clausen, Frank Langone, Gabe Galinas, George White, Harold Kearns, Harry Roberts, Howard Cook, Irv Leshner, Jack Hansen, Jack Pleis, James Schultz, Johnny Austin, Johnny Warrington, Maurice Evans, Morris Rayman, Sam Sachelle.

Selected discography

  • The Top Hatters (1939–1941), Decca Jazz Heritage Series, 1967

References

  1. ↑ Billboard June 27, 1942
  2. ↑ Granger, Maurice (November 29, 1941). "Bandstand Notes" (PDF). Movie-Radio Guide. 11 (8): 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  3. ↑ Source: New York Times, October 5, 1948, p. 25
  4. ↑ "Jon Savitt And His Top Hatters". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
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