Music and Vinyl: Artie Shaw Re-creates His Great '38 Band

Arthur Jacob Arshawsky - better know as Artie Shaw - was an American bandleader and clarinetist who died in 2004 aged 94. Leading one of the most popular big bands of the 1930s and 40s his biggest hit was the 1938 recording of Cole Porter's Begin The Beguine.

It's this 1938 band that was recreated in stereo in 1968 by Capitol Records, with Shaw conducting and producing, though not playing. Shaw's clarinet part is played by Walt Levinsky. The sleeve notes to the album take the form of a Q & A with Shaw - click on the scan below to read. And enjoy side 1 of the "1938" band in hifi stereo!