Shaw, Artie. (1910–2004)
Collection of Typed Letters Signed
Three typed letters signed from the American jazz clarinettist, bandleader, composer and arranger, addressed to "Albee." March 28, 1956, June 10, 1956, December 6, 1958. In the first letter, Shaw apologizes for a miscommunication with his correspondent before going on to describe at length his travels through Europe and eventual decision to build a house in Spain: "But what a house! All stone—great big terraces, fireplaces in practically every room—all glass along the front to take advantage of that crazy landscape [...] the entire business, land and all, won't cost much more than it would cost you to build a hlafway decent two car garage around New York." The second letter asks "How about letting a guy hear from you once in a while, now that I'm finally more or less settled down here," while the third letter, written two years later, picks up: "...I gave up quite along time ago on ever hearing from you again" and continues to share news of Shaw's remarriage and life in Spain. Overall toning, folding creases and some small tears; overall in very good condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.7 x 27.7 cm).In 1954, Shaw stopped playing the clarinet, citing his own perfectionism, which, he later said, would have killed him. He explained to a reporter, "In the world we live in, compulsive perfectionists finish last. You have to be Lawrence Welk or, on another level, Irving Berlin, and write the same kind of music over and over again. I'm not able to do that, and I have taken the clarinet as far as anyone can possibly go. To continue playing would be a disservice." He spent the rest of the 1950s living in Europe. (15075)
TLS Jazz