Blue Barron
Encyclopedia
Blue Barron born Harry Freidman, was an American
orchestra leader
in the 1940s and early 1950s during the "Big Band
" era.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio
, he studied at Ohio State University
before going into show business. He adopted the stage name
Blue Barron and by 1940 had created his own orchestra. His band's more subdued tone was referred to as "Sweet" music to distinguish it from the "Swing
" bands of the era. At first, Barron's orchestra played in the New York City
area but later toured the U.S. and performed at popular venues in Los Angeles
where they also appeared in several motion pictures and recorded a number of LPs
.
During World War II
, Barron served with the United States Army
and at war's end resumed his musical career. He was able to work in the industry for another ten years until the Big Band era gave way to new musical forms. For his contribution to the recording industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 1724 Vine Street. Barron hit #1 in 1949 with "Cruising Down The River".
Blue Barron died in 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland and is interred there in the Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
orchestra leader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
in the 1940s and early 1950s during the "Big Band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
" era.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, he studied at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
before going into show business. He adopted the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Blue Barron and by 1940 had created his own orchestra. His band's more subdued tone was referred to as "Sweet" music to distinguish it from the "Swing
Swing (genre)
Swing music, also known as swing jazz or simply swing, is a form of jazz music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States...
" bands of the era. At first, Barron's orchestra played in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area but later toured the U.S. and performed at popular venues in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where they also appeared in several motion pictures and recorded a number of LPs
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Barron served with the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and at war's end resumed his musical career. He was able to work in the industry for another ten years until the Big Band era gave way to new musical forms. For his contribution to the recording industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 1724 Vine Street. Barron hit #1 in 1949 with "Cruising Down The River".
Blue Barron died in 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland and is interred there in the Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery.