Dick Stabile
Encyclopedia
Dick Stabile was an American jazz
saxophonist and bandleader.
in the 1950s. He joined Ben Bernie
's orchestra in 1928, where he remained for several years. In 1935 he started his own ensemble, recording with vocalists such as Bunny Berigan
, Paula Kelly
, Burt Shaw, and Gracie Barrie, the last of which he would go on to marry. During this time Stabile recorded for the labels Decca
, Bluebird
, ARC, and Vocalion
/Okeh
. His band worked often in hotels in New York City
and was chosen to play at the New York World's Fair
in 1959–60.
During World War II
Stabile led a band while serving in the Coast Guard; Gracie Barrie led his ensemble in his absence. After the war he moved to Los Angeles
, where he began working with Dean Martin
and Jerry Lewis
from 1949 up to his death. He was the leader of the orchestra on many of Martin's popular recordings. Additionally, he worked with Jimmy Dorsey
and Vincent Lopez
. Contrary to the assertions of some, Stabile did not play the alto solos in "So Rare," which was recorded by Jimmy Dorsey on November 11, 1956. Rather, Stabile was utilized for his alto in a session that occurred several days after Dorsey's death, and under the leadership of trumpeter Lee Castle
.
After spending the latter 1960s leading dance bands at Los Angeles ballrooms, Stabile took a job at the Hotel Roosevelt in New Orleans, where he worked from the middle of the 1970s until his death as a result of a heart attack in 1980.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophonist and bandleader.
Biography
Stabile got his start playing in theater ensembles on BroadwayBroadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
in the 1950s. He joined Ben Bernie
Ben Bernie
Ben Bernie , born Bernard Anzelevitz, was an American jazz violinist and radio personality, often introduced as The Old Maestro. He was noted for his showmanship and memorable bits of snappy dialogue....
's orchestra in 1928, where he remained for several years. In 1935 he started his own ensemble, recording with vocalists such as Bunny Berigan
Bunny Berigan
Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the swing era, but whose virtuosity and influence were shortened by a losing battle with alcoholism that ended in his early death at age 33. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues"...
, Paula Kelly
Paula Kelly (singer)
Paula Kelly was an American big band singer.Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in her early career, she sang with orchestras led by Dick Stabile, Artie Shaw, and Al Donahue...
, Burt Shaw, and Gracie Barrie, the last of which he would go on to marry. During this time Stabile recorded for the labels Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, Bluebird
Bluebird Records
Bluebird Records is a sub-label of RCA Victor Records originally created in 1932 to counter the American Record Company in the "3 records for a dollar" market. Along with ARC's Perfect Records, Melotone Records and Romeo Records, and the independent US Decca label, Bluebird became one of the best...
, ARC, and Vocalion
Vocalion Records
Vocalion Records is a record label active for many years in the United States and in the United Kingdom.-History:Vocalion was founded in 1916 by the Aeolian Piano Company of New York City, which introduced a retail line of phonographs at the same time. The name was derived from one of their...
/Okeh
Okeh Records
Okeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918. From 1926 on, it was a subsidiary of Columbia Records.-History:...
. His band worked often in hotels in 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...
and was chosen to play at the New York World's Fair
1964 New York World's Fair
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding," dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe";...
in 1959–60.
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...
Stabile led a band while serving in the Coast Guard; Gracie Barrie led his ensemble in his absence. After the war he moved to 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 he began working with Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
and Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
from 1949 up to his death. He was the leader of the orchestra on many of Martin's popular recordings. Additionally, he worked with Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
and Vincent Lopez
Vincent Lopez
Vincent Lopez was an American bandleader and pianist.Vincent Lopez was born of Portuguese immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York and was leading his own dance band in New York City by 1917...
. Contrary to the assertions of some, Stabile did not play the alto solos in "So Rare," which was recorded by Jimmy Dorsey on November 11, 1956. Rather, Stabile was utilized for his alto in a session that occurred several days after Dorsey's death, and under the leadership of trumpeter Lee Castle
Lee Castle
Lee Castle was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He was born Lee Aniello Castaldo, and performed under this name early in his career....
.
After spending the latter 1960s leading dance bands at Los Angeles ballrooms, Stabile took a job at the Hotel Roosevelt in New Orleans, where he worked from the middle of the 1970s until his death as a result of a heart attack in 1980.
Sources
- Dick Stabile at Solid!