[78-L] Artie Shaw

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Jeff, that is really interesting commentary! I’m not in the least 
surprised at what you say about scores being lost. Even institutions 
that have received donations sometimes store them poorly. I was told 
some years ago that Neal Hefti  destroyed most or all of his work 
because he was bitter about the way he felt he had been treated. Hefti 
was another great arranger, as was Ernie Wilkens. I’ve had the pleasure 
of hearing his Danish band perform a number of his arrangements. I also 
have several of his European LP recordings.

One thing that irks me are jazz critics who unthinkingly claim Goodman 
used Fletcher Henderson arrangements “as is” that Henderson had 
previously recorded. Of all the extant air check recordings of 
Goodman’s band performing on the Let’s Dance program, only a small 
number were Henderson arrangements. As you say, Spud Murphy was 
Goodman’s principal arranger at the time. I’ve often wondered what 
happened to all the wonderful arrangements a young Eddie Sauter did for 
Red Norvo’s band. I Love the sound and feel of that band!
Geoffrey Wheeler