Jimmy Grier
Jimmy Grier, born James W. Grier on March 17, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was an influential American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. Grier gained prominence in the mid-1930s as a popular bandleader, recording for notable labels such as Brunswick, Columbia, and Decca Records. He was affectionately known as "The Musical Host Of The Coast."
Throughout his career, Grier collaborated with prominent groups led by Abe Lyman, George Stoll, and Gus Arnheim. He led his own orchestra from 1931 to 1933, contributing to the vibrant dance orchestra scene of the time. Grier's musical compositions include several popular songs like "Music in the Moonlight," "Bon Voyage," "Remember Cherie," "Hollywood at Vine," "Silver River," "Anitra's Boogie," "What's the Reason?", and "Ivy-Covered Harbor."
Jimmy Grier passed away on June 4, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in the American jazz and dance orchestra landscape.