Which of Pollack's musicians provide vocals? Victor ledgers give only this information: \"Vocal by members of orchestra.\"
\"Waitin' For Katie\" is played by Ben Pollack & His Orchestra.
Someone said the song's original title is \"Waitin' For K.T.\"--the Kansas & Topeka Railroad. I can't find sheet music to confirm this. But I have seen labels that give the spelling \"Katy\" for \"Katie.\"
Benny Goodman at age 17 or 18 plays clarinet, alto saxophone, and TRUMPET! Only on this recording do we hear the young master on the three instruments. He provides the one-bar trumpet break just before Jimmy McPartland's cornet solo.
The trombone solo is by Glenn Miller.
Listen for Jimmy McPartland (cornet), Frank Quartell, Glenn Miller, Gil Rodin, Larry Binyon, Vic Briedis, Dick Morgan on banjo, and Harry Goodman on tuba.
Yes, Ben Pollack on drums.
Recorded in Chicago on December 7, 1927
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Music by Ted Shapiro
Ben Pollack was born in 1903 in Chicago.
He died in 1971.
He was a skilled drummer and bandleader.
He employed Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland, Harry James, and others who would become crucial to the recording industry..
He was the drummer for the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.
In 1926, Pollack's band started recording for Victor. Then Pollack's name was on most of the other labels.
Pollack abandoned one band so he could focus on promoting the vocalist Doris Robbins. Gil Rodin offered Bob Crosby (who was at the time working as vocalist for the Dorsey Brothers) the opportunity to front the abandoned band. It made commercial sense to cash in on Bing Crosby's name by hiring a Crosby brother. Gil Rodin provided musical direction.
So that is how the Bob Crosby ensemble started!
On June 7, 1971 Ben Pollack committed suicide by hanging himself in his Palm Springs home.
\"Waitin' For Katie\" Ben Pollack & His Orchestra (Dec. 7, 1927) LYRICS Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller
