Woodrow Charles Herman, known as Woody Herman, was an influential American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader, born on May 16, 1913, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He emerged as a prominent figure in jazz music, leading groups famously known as "The Herds" from the late 1930s until his death on October 29, 1987, in West Hollywood, California.

Herman's early life was steeped in music and performance, having worked as a singer and tap-dancer in vaudeville as a child. He began playing the clarinet and saxophone by the age of 12. His career took off when he joined the Tom Gerun band, and he later performed with the Harry Sosnick orchestra, Gus Arnheim, and Isham Jones.

In 1936, Herman formed his first band, renowned for its blues orchestrations and known as "The Band That Plays the Blues." The band gained significant recognition with the hit "Woodchopper's Ball" in 1939, which sold over five million copies. During the 1940s, Herman's band, then called Herman's Herd, became known for its exuberance and technical brilliance, performing on radio shows, in films, and at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall.

Herman was innovative in his approach, incorporating bebop elements into his music and pioneering new saxophone arrangements with his Second Herd, featuring notable musicians like Zoot Sims and Stan Getz. The band became identified with the song "Four Brothers," showcasing a unique saxophone arrangement.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Herman continued to evolve his musical style, incorporating diverse influences from artists such as Charles Mingus and the Beatles. Despite personal challenges, including struggles with tax authorities, Herman maintained his reputation as a superb bandleader and continued to perform live concerts into the 1980s. His legacy was cemented with multiple Grammy Awards and the posthumous publication of his autobiography, "The Woodchopper’s Ball," in 1990.