Bobby Sherwood
b. USA. Self-taught on several instruments, Sherwood first appeared on stage as a child when he became a member of a vaudeville troupe. In the mid-30s he was hired by Bing Crosby as accompanist following the death of guitarist Eddie Lang. Through his association with Crosby, Sherwood readily secured work in Hollywood, mostly with MGM. In 1941, by this time mostly playing trumpet, he formed his own big band. Although he was also an accomplished arranger, again self taught, Sherwood lacked the qualities needed for band leadership; despite hiring outstanding young musicians such as Zoot Sims, his band was often under-rehearsed and, according to critic George T. Simon, ‘one of the most slovenly-looking crews’ he ever saw on a bandstand. Thanks to the popularity of records such as Sherwood's Forest and Elk's Parade, both of which he composed, he managed to keep the band afloat until the end of the '40s. Sherwood then became an actor, working in both the theatre and films. Towards the end of the '50s he again tried his hand at bandleading, forming a small group and later a big band to work in hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and other gambling resorts.