Ben Pollack

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.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
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	composer, vocalist
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	director, vocalist
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	director, vocalist
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	leader, vocalist
Victor	BVE-39059	10-in.	6/24/1927	Who is your who	Ben Pollack Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, leader
Victor	BVE-39090	10-in.	7/7/1927	Honey do	Ben Pollack Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, leader
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	leader, vocalist
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	vocalist, director
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	vocalist, director
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	vocalist, director
Victor	BVE-50913	10-in.	3/5/1929	On with the dance	Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, director
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	instrumentalist, traps, director
Victor	BVE-53948	10-in.	7/25/1929	Won'tcha?	Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, traps, director
Victor	BVE-53949	10-in.	7/25/1929	Bashful baby	Park Central Orchestra ; Ben Pollack	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, traps, director
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	vocalist, leader
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 November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103192.

Pollack, Ben. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103192.

"Pollack, Ben." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.