Artie Shaw, the jazz clarinetist and big-band leader who successfully challenged Benny Goodman’s reign as the King of Swing with his recordings of “Begin the Beguine,” “Lady Be Good” and “Star Dust” in the late 1930’s, died December 30, 2004 at his home in Newbury Park, Calif. He was 94.
He apparently died of natural causes, his lawyer, Eddie Ezor, told The Associated Press.
Artie Shaw’s virtuosity on his instrument, his groups’ highly original arrangements and his explosively romantic showmanship made him one of the most danced-to bandleaders of swing and one of the most listened-to artists of jazz.
He quit performing in 1954 , but the many re-releases of his discs, a ghost band, and his informed but often sardonic comments on music and many other subjects kept him in the public ear.
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