Jan Garber

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Born: November 5, 1894 Indianapolis, IN Died: October 5, 1977 Shreveport, LA Theme Songs: "My Dear" "Mexicali Rose" "At 76, the Idol Rolls Along" by Con Good If 76 years seems like a long-overdue retirement age, don't tell it to the Jan Garber Orchestra. That's saying a lot. And it's good news to dancers throughout the nation. Reason: good music! It's been that way since 1918, when the diminutive, effervescent Mr. Garber - fresh from Philadelphia's Combs Conservatory Of Music and World War I Army service - launched a band leading career that spanned more than six decades. Jan Garber began his extended career on America's bandstands as a modest quartet (including his own violin) following World War I. It later emerged as a full-fledged 'hot band' in the 1920s; a 'sweet' band in the early 1930s through the early 1940s; a 'swing' band during World War II; and back to the 'sweet' style permanently in late 1945. Jan's greatest popularity surfaced in early 1933, shortly after he took over leadership of the 'Little Freddie Large Orchestra' from Canada. With Freddie's unique lead alto saxophone captivating radio listeners from Cincinnati to Catalina Island, the Garber Band - with a sound like Lombardo but lots peppier - became an overnight sensation at Chicago's famed Trianon Ballroom. A year later, it was solidly entrenched among the most popular dance groups in the entire country. Prominent in this emergence were the imaginative musical arrangements of pianist Doug Roe; the singing of Nebraska native Lee Bennett; and a series of comic skits, special shows and mini-concerts during each dance. The original members of the 'Little Freddie Large Orchestra' are all gone now. But they were greatly surprised, along with most of the nation, when Jan - for reasons never entirely clear but probably linked to his own restless nature and the fast-paced blare of the times - switched styles completely and launched a swinging big band during World War II. The experiment proved a musical success but a financial disaster. Jan mercifully cut his losses, and ended the suffering of his countless 1930s followers, by returning to his familiar 'sweet' style of music in late 1945. Freddie Large returned with him, bringing along Tony Briglia, a fellow Canadian and longtime drummer with the famed Casa Loma Orchestra. Also aiding the cause considerably were trumpeter Bill Kleeb and trombonist/arranger Frank Bettencourt. They had both joined Jan in late 1942, with Frank returning after military service to update and take charge of virtually all the band's musical library in addition to his trombone and part-time piano chores. Kleeb's classic trumpet work became a Garber trademark for the better part of a quarter-century. Memo Bernabei and prewar sideman Al Powers, together with Jo Jo Huffman, rounded out the new reed-section quartet. Jack Barrow, who had also been on the band during the latter 1930s, returned with Bettencourt on trombone, with Ernie Mathias and Vince DiBari joining Kleeb in the expanded trumpet section. Frank McCauley on string bass and pianist Jack Motch, who both helped with arranging, rounded out Jan's new postwar group.

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