Blue Barron (November 19, 1913 – July 16, 2005), born Herschel Freidman, was an American orchestra leader in the 1930’s and early 1950s during the "Big Band" era. His band's more subdued tone was referred to as "Sweet" music to distinguish it from the "Swing" bands of the era. Barron's orchestra began in the New
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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.
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.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, Freidman studied at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio before going into show business. (Musical references give differing spellings for his name, including Freedlin, but a niece of the bandleader believes the spelling Freidman is correct.)
Originally an impresario in his home town, he formed his own band in the mid-30s and took the name Blue Barron after briefly managing the band of the young Sammy Kaye. With a clear eye on the cash register, he adopted a musical policy that catered for the sweetest levels of popular taste. Heralded by his sugary signature
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tune, ‘Sometimes I’m Happy’, he became very successful, securing important hotel and dance hall circuit bookings in the late 30s and throughout the 40s
His first group played on the Floating Palace showboat at Troy, New York, in October 1936. A newspaper report said the group "made an overnight hit at the Floating Palace and remained there for 22 weeks. In 1937, the orchestra made its network radio debut from the Southern Tavern in Cleveland, and that exposure helped to publicize Barron's name. The band opened in the Green Room of the Edison on January 5, 1938. Barron was heard not only on NBC's Red and Blue radio networks, but also on the CBS and
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Mutual systems where his own makeshift orchestra was sometimes augmented by jazz guest stars of distinction.
Mutual systems where his own makeshift orchestra was sometimes augmented by jazz guest stars of distinction.Singer Tommy Ryan fronted the band while Barron served in the US Forces during World War II, and when he returned, Barron had popular record successes with ‘Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba’, ‘You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling In Love)’, ‘Powder Your Face With Sunshine’, ‘Whose Girl Are You’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ and ‘Let Me In.’ Barron hit number 1 for two weeks in 1949 with "Cruising Down The River". The record sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status.
The Blue Barron orchestra stayed at the Edison Hotel throughout the 1940's and also played on the road and appeared in the movie shorts "Melody Master: Blue Barron and His Orchestra (1939),""Paramount Headliner: Blue Barron and His Orchestra" (1940) and "Blue Barron and His Orchestra (1952)."
The band continued until 1956 before changing musical trends made it no longer financially viable. Barron still led bands at sporadic engagements into the 1960s and also performed with his wife, singer Patty Zych (aka Patty Clayton), on the hotel circuit. He then exited the music business and pursued a career in real estate management.
He died in his sleep on 16 July, 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland, age 91 and is interred in Arlington Cemetery of Chizuk Amuno in Baltimore.
(Compiled and edited from Wikipedia, Big Band Library, New York Times & All Music)