Please click above image for larger picture and better detail. Offered here is a great candid image of Charlie Spivak from the world famous Francis Zane autograph collection. The photo was taken out on the sidewalk of an unknown west coast city in the 1940s – and what great scenery, just look at those cars! Interestingly, there is a “health foods” store across the street – I didn’t know they had health food back then! Mr. Spivak has signed in black ink, “To Francis, My best wishes, Charlie Spivak”. The postcard measures approximately 5x7” and is in good condition, showing general aging and some warpage at the top edge. The following is a brief biography of Charlie Spivak from the All Music Guide: Despite coming up in the jazz world and spending his life around jazz musicians, Charlie Spivak rarely improvised and was most notable for his pretty tone. He moved to the U.S. with his family as a small child and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. Spivak began playing trumpet when he was ten, gigged locally as a teenager and worked with Don Cavallaro's Orchestra. During most of 1924-30 he was with Paul Specht's Orchestra, primarily playing section parts where his tone was an asset. Spivak was cast in the same role with Ben Pollack (1931-34), the Dorsey Brothers (1934-35) and Ray Noble. He worked in the studios during most of 1936-37 and then had stints with the orchestras of Bob Crosby, Tommy Dorsey and Jack Teagarden. Spivak formed his own band in November 1939 (financed by Glenn Miller) and, although his first orchestra failed within a year, his second attempt shortly after was more successful; in fact Charlie Spivak became a major attraction throughout the 1940's and he kept his band together until 1959. Spivak lived in later years in Florida, Las Vegas and South Carolina, putting together orchestras on a part-time basis, staying semi-active up until his death at the age of 75. Among his better recordings were his theme "Let's Go Home," "Autumn Nocturne" and "Star Dreams." Charlie Spivak, who recorded as late as 1981, was married to singer Irene Daye (who was formerly with Gene Krupa's Orchestra). |
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