Chico Marx Orchestra

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The Chico Marx Orchestra was an American big band from the 1940s.

history

Since 1939 the film comedian Chico Marx had plans to found his own orchestra; the Chico Marx Orchestra , which was finally realized, was a formation in which Chico Piano played and gave it its name, but which in principle was founded and directed by Ben Pollack . Pollack also organized the band when Chico Marx was not making any Marx Brothers films during World War II.

Initially planned as Chico Marx and his Ravellies (or Ravellis ), it was supposed to be part of a radio show, Chico's Barber Shop , which was never realized. When the band finally made their first appearance in January 1942, it was simply called Chico Marx and his Orchestra (or Chico Marx Orchestra for short ). It offered a show reminiscent of Vaudeville ; the band started by playing simple dance band material, which was loosened up by Chico's finger exercises on the piano known from the films. Chico Marx played a quarter of an hour, then gave a short monologue and introduced the band singers. While they were performing, Chico sat on the edge of the stage and ate a carrot or a banana, the skin of which he stuffed into the singer's cutout.

After the debut of the band in January 1942 in Flatbush in Brooklyn , the orchestra gave further appearances in the New York area and in March in Cleveland , where Larry Adler accompanied it; a concert in Pittsburgh was broadcast on the radio. From Ohio followed a tour of several weeks across the United States, which ended in Los Angeles; The singers Ziggy Lane, Bob Clark, Wally Brown and Nick Collins were there. This was followed by further appearances in July in Peoria and in August in Chicago , when the 17-year-old Mel Tormé joined the band, who also worked as the band's arranger and replaced George Wettling as drummer.

In October 1942, the band began a two-month engagement at the Blackhawk Café in Chicago, where it was also broadcast on the radio. One evening Harpo Marx also appeared on a surprise visit to the Blackhawk, played his harp and performed a short sketch. Chico continued working with the band in the winter of 1942/43; Harpo jumped in as the band's leader at Cleveland Palace for a week during his illness . In July 1943, the band broke up for good when they performed at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco . The Chico Marx Orchestra never appeared in the Marx Brothers films.

In the joint band with Pollack some talented musicians like Marty Marsala or Marty Napoleon played ; The band singer in 1942 was Elisse Cooper, who previously sang in the Will Hudson - Eddie DeLange Orchestra. The band's arrangements were made by saxophonist Paul Villepigue; In 1942 she briefly belonged to guitarist Barney Kessel when she made a guest appearance at Chicago's Blackhawk Restaurant .

Discography

  • We Must Be Vigilant / Johnny Doughboy Found a Rose in Ireland (Hit 7003), June 1942
  • Sweet Eloise / Here You Are (Hit 7004), June 1942
  • Desi Arnaz & Chico Marx: The Great Hollywood Orchestras (Laserlight 15767), CD 1992

Web links / sources