Artie Shaw, the well known clarinet player and Big Band leader came to Townsville. During World War 2, Artie Shaw
enlisted in the US Navy and later formed a band, which served in the Pacific area (similar to Glenn Miller’s wartime band in Europe). After 18 months playing for Navy personnel (sometimes as many as four concerts a day in battle zones, including Guadalcanal). Artie and his Band also played in Townsville during this period, mainly to US Forces camped here.
Artie returned to the U.S. in a state of physical exhaustion, receiving a medical discharge. In the late 1940s, Shaw performed classical music at Carnegie Hall and with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Berstein and continued his jazz and band career.
Artie Shaw and his musicians in an appearance in Townsville during WW2
Photo and information with kind permission of Peter Dunn’s “Australia @ War” website at www.ozatwar.com
Band Leader Artie Shaw when his band visited Townsville. The people in the photo were invited guests from Townsville
Photo and information with kind permission of Peter Dunn’s “Australia @ War” website at www.ozatwar.com
Chief Specialist Artie Shaw, U.S.N., and his band play for patients of the US Army’s 13th Station Hospital, Aitkenvale, Townsville on 24th September, 1943. WW2 site of the 13th Station Hospital was in Hatchett Street, Cranbrook which is currently the site of Holy Spirit Primary School.
Photo and information with kind permission of Peter Dunn’s “Australia @ War” website at www.ozatwar.com
