Ben Pollack
Ben Pollack (June 22, 1903 – June 7, 1971) was an American drummer and bandleader from the mid-1920s through the swing era. His eye for talent led him to employ musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland, and Harry James. This ability earned him the nickname the "Father of Swing". |
Birth and Death Data: Born June 22, 1903 (Chicago), Died June 7, 1971 (Palm Springs)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1949
Roles Represented in DAHR: traps, leader, director, vocalist, banjo, composer, songwriter
Notes: Also played drums.
See Also: New Orleans Rhythm Kings
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | B-28718 | 10-in. | 10/4/1923 | Tin roof blues | The Original Memphis Five | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Victor | BVE-36236 | 10-in. | 9/14/1926 | Hot stuff | White-Tops | Instrumental trio, with male vocal solo | vocalist, composer | |
| Victor | BVE-36237 | 10-in. | 9/14/1926 | I'd love to call you my sweetheart | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-36238 | 10-in. | 9/14/1926 | Sunday | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist, director | |
| Victor | BVE-37218 | 10-in. | 12/9/1926 | When I first met Mary | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-37219 | 10-in. | 12/9/1926 | 'Deed I do | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus | vocalist, director | |
| Victor | BVE-37260 | 10-in. | 12/17/1926 | You're the one for me | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BVE-37261 | 10-in. | 12/17/1926 | He's the last word | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal duet | leader | |
| Victor | BVE-39058 | 10-in. | 6/24/1927 | That's what I think of you | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist, leader | |
| Victor | BVE-39059 | 10-in. | 6/24/1927 | Who is your who | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-39090 | 10-in. | 7/7/1927 | Honey do | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-39091 | 10-in. | 7/7/1927 | I ain't that kind of baby | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist, leader | |
| Victor | BVE-41342 | 10-in. | 12/7/1927 | Waitin' for Katie | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus | director | |
| Victor | BVE-41343 | 10-in. | 12/7/1927 | Memphis blues | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-41344 | 10-in. | 12/7/1927 | California medley | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-43540 | 10-in. | 4/6/1928 | Singapore sorrows | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-43541 | 10-in. | 4/6/1928 | Sweet Sue, just you | Ben Pollack's Californians | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and chorus | director | |
| Victor | BVE-47576 | 10-in. | 10/1/1928 | You're gone | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-47577 | 10-in. | 10/1/1928 | Forever | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-47742 | 10-in. | 10/15/1928 | Buy, buy for baby (or baby will bye bye you) | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-47743 | 10-in. | 10/15/1928 | She's one sweet show girl | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-48286 | 10-in. | 12/24/1928 | Let's sit and talk about you | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-48287 | 10-in. | 12/24/1928 | Futuristic rhythm | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-48302 | 10-in. | 1/24/1929 | Sally of my dreams | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-49220 | 10-in. | 12/3/1928 | Then came the dawn | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-49221 | 10-in. | 12/3/1928 | Sentimental baby | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-49673 | 10-in. | 1/22/1929 | Wang-wang blues | Ben's Bad Boys ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-49674 | 10-in. | 1/22/1929 | Yellow Dog blues | Ben's Bad Boys ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-49675 | 10-in. | 1/22/1929 | Shirt-tail stomp | Ben's Bad Boys ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-50905 | 10-in. | 3/1/1929 | Louise | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack ; Charles Roberts | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-50906 | 10-in. | 3/1/1929 | Wait 'til you see 'ma chérie' | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack ; Charles Roberts | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-50912 | 10-in. | 3/5/1929 | My kinda love | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-50913 | 10-in. | 3/5/1929 | On with the dance | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, vocalist | |
| Victor | BVE-53517 | 10-in. | 5/27/1929 | I'd like to be a Gypsy | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-53518 | 10-in. | 5/27/1929 | Finding the long way home | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-53947 | 10-in. | 7/25/1929 | In the hush of the night | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, instrumentalist, traps | |
| Victor | BVE-53948 | 10-in. | 7/25/1929 | Won'tcha? | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, instrumentalist, traps | |
| Victor | BVE-53949 | 10-in. | 7/25/1929 | Bashful baby | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, instrumentalist, traps | |
| Victor | BVE-53989 | 10-in. | 8/15/1929 | Where the sweet forget-me-nots remember | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-53990 | 10-in. | 8/15/1929 | Song of the blues | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-53991 | 10-in. | 8/15/1929 | True blue Lou | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-56105 | 10-in. | 8/22/1929 | Sweetheart, we need each other | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-56106 | 10-in. | 8/22/1929 | You're always in my arms (But only in my dreams) | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-56721 | 10-in. | 9/27/1929 | You've made me happy today! | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Ben Pollack ; Charles Roberts | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-56722 | 10-in. | 9/27/1929 | From now on | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Ben Pollack ; Charles Roberts | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-57637 | 10-in. | 11/29/1929 | Keep your undershirt on | Burt Lorin ; Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Orchestra, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-57638 | 10-in. | 11/29/1929 | Reaching for the moon | Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack | Orchestra, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BS-75409 | 10-in. | 3/19/1933 | Linger a little longer in the twilight | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Doris Robbins | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BS-75410 | 10-in. | 3/19/1933 | I bring a song | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BS-75411 | 10-in. | 3/19/1933 | Low down upon the Harlem River | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | PBS-09569 | 10-in. | 7/6/1937 | Peckin' | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-010112 | 10-in. | 5/3/1937 | Peckin' | Ozzie Nelson Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-028175 | 10-in. | 10/31/1938 | Tin roof blues | Tommy Dorsey Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W140710 | 10-in. | 6/22/1925 | Tin roof blues | Ted Lewis and his Band | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W143433 | 10-in. | 3/7/1927 | Tin roof blues | Sol Hoopii's Novelty Trio | Instrumental trio (Hawaiian) | composer | |
| Columbia | W152662 | 10-in. | 12/28/1933 | Got the jitters | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152663 | 10-in. | 12/28/1933 | Deep jungle | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter, leader | |
| Columbia | W152664 | 10-in. | 12/28/1933 | Swing out | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| Columbia | W152665 | 10-in. | 12/28/1933 | I'm full of the devil | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist, leader | |
| Columbia | W152692 | 10-in. | 1/23/1934 | I wanna be loved | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152693 | 10-in. | 1/23/1934 | My little grass shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal trio | vocalist, leader | |
| Columbia | W152694 | 10-in. | 1/23/1934 | Goin' to heaven on a mule | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Joe Harris | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152721 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | Dancing in the moonlight | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader, vocalist | |
| Columbia | W152722 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | The voodoo | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152723 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | Ole mammy ain't gonna sing no more | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152724 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | Here goes | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152725 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | The beat of my heart | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152726 | 10-in. | 2/23/1934 | Alone on the range | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Joe Harris | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152755 | 10-in. | 5/29/1934 | Night on the desert | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152756 | 10-in. | 5/29/1934 | Sleepy head | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152757 | 10-in. | 5/29/1934 | Freckle face, you're beautiful | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Joe Harris | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Columbia | W152758 | 10-in. | 5/29/1934 | I've got a warm spot in my heart for you | Ben Pollack Orchestra ; Doris Robbins | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| OKeh | S-71605 | 10-in. | June 1923 | Tin roof blues | Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| OKeh | W401535 | 10-in. | 1/16/1929 | Let's sit and talk about you | Louisville Rhythm Kings [Ben Pollack Orchestra] | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| OKeh | W401558 | 10-in. | 1/25/1929 | Shout Hallelujah! 'Cause I'm home | Ben Pollack Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| OKeh | W401559 | 10-in. | 1/25/1929 | In a great big way | Louisville Rhythm Kings [Ben Pollack Orchestra] | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio | leader | |
| Brunswick | E27684 | 10-in. | 6/11/1928 | Tin roof blues | Dixie Syncopators ; King Oliver | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Brunswick | E36104 | 10-in. | 2/19/1931 | That’s the kind of man for me | New Orleans Ramblers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Brunswick | E36105 | 10-in. | 2/19/1931 | I’m one of God’s children (Who hasn’t got wings) | New Orleans Ramblers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Brunswick | E36106 | 10-in. | 2/19/1931 | No wonder I’m blue | New Orleans Ramblers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader, vocalist | |
| Brunswick | E36107 | 10-in. | 2/19/1931 | There’s rhythm in the river | New Orleans Ramblers | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and male vocal quartet | leader | |
| Decca | DLA 910 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | Boogie woogie | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 911 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | California, here I come | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 912 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | My wild Irish Rose | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 913 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | Alice blue gown | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 914 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | Cuddle up a little closer | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 915 | 10-in. | 9/11/1937 | can't you hear me calling, Caroline? | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 945 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | If it's the last thing I do | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 946 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | I'm in my glory | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 947 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | You made me love you | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 948 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | The snake-charmer | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 1201 | 10-in. | 4/9/1938 | Morocco | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 1202 | 10-in. | 4/9/1938 | Fare Thee honey, fare Thee well | Connie Boswell | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 1203 | 10-in. | 4/9/1938 | Mr. Freddie blues | Connie Boswell | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 1204 | 10-in. | 4/9/1938 | Nobody's gonna take you from me | Ben Pollack and his Pick-A-Rib Boys | instrumentalist, traps | ||
| Decca | DLA 1231 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | You'll be reminded of me | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | DLA 1232 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | After you've gone | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | DLA 1233 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | There's rain in my eyes | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | DLA 1234 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | Everybody's doin' it | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | DLA 1235 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | This is the life ; The international rag | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | DLA 1236 | 10-in. | 4/18/1938 | Looking at the world through rose-colored glasses | Ben Pollack Orchestra | leader | ||
| Decca | L 5250 | 12/9/1949 | That's a plenty | Hoagy Carmichael | instrumentalist, traps | |||
| Decca | L 5251 | 12/9/1949 | At the Darktown Strutter's Ball | Hoagy Carmichael | instrumentalist, traps |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Pollack, Ben," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103192.
Pollack, Ben. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103192.
"Pollack, Ben." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Ben Pollack
Discogs: Ben Pollack
Allmusic: Ben Pollack
Grove: Ben Pollack
Britannica: Ben Pollack
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Pollack, Ben - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81071438
Wikidata: Ben Pollack - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q816581
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/74038642
MusicBrainz: Ben Pollack - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/6593ecce-4893-49d9-95f6-86965c02af0a
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
Feedback
Send the Editors a message about this record.