Okay – something different tonight. Four songs by the Hal Herzon Septet, all recorded for the Standard Transcription Company in 1945.
There is precious little information on Hal Herzon, aside from an obit that ran in Daily Variety from March 25, 2003 and really nothing else. Certainly no photos (hence the somewhat generic photo from the 1940s.
Here’s what Variety had to say:
Originally from Chi-town, he attended Northwestern U., graduating with a master’s in music and dedicating himself to the clarinet and sax. He was a member of the Charlie Barnett and Bill Bardo bands and later formed the Hal Herzon Septet. He also jammed with jazz greats Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, his son Randy noted.
He toured with big bands until he came to Hollywood, where he set up his own recording studio at Hollywood and Vine. His first album was “Morton Gould’s Musical Fantasies.” He also played the Hollywood Canteen during WWII, the Santa Monica Pavilion, and on Bob Hope shows with Skinny Ennis.
Changing careers as the demand for big band live music dwindled, Herzon became a talent agent, working with Meyer Mishkin before going solo. He played host to many ’60s parties attended by celebs such as Hedda Hopper, Chuck Connors and Coburn and helped rep Coburn and Osmond.
That’s it. As for the music? It’s quirky – a sort of homage to Raymond Scott (whose music he included in his only album release, a set of 78s for MGM).
Here’s what’s playing:
1 – Jazz Pizzicato
2.- Continental Serenade
3.- Pirouette
4.- Safari
It’s fascinating music that doesn’t really succumb to a label or a genre. Can’t call it pop, can’t call it Jazz, you’d be tempted to label it Cartoon music but even that is somewhat limiting. It was experimental during a time when Popular Music, especially Big Band was on the decline and new ideas were coming out of the woodwork.
It’s baffling that he didn’t become a household name in any one of a number of genres – a Film Composer instantly comes to mind. But who is to know what deciding factors played in his leaving Music and pursuing a career as a talent agent. We just won’t know.
And there is very little in the way of recorded music by him. Two sessions for the Standard Transcription company – an album for MGM and, as far as I can tell nothing else.
But what there is comes packed with energy and wit.
The disc these tracks from had ten sides cut and only four which I am featuring tonight. Depending on reactions, the other six are waiting for the go-ahead.
Who says Music is boring, dead or even in a coma? And who says Music has no past and it’s all been discovered.
Press Play and prepare to be surprised.
