Lee Castle
Encyclopedia
Lee Castle was an American jazz
trumpeter and bandleader. He was born Lee Aniello Castaldo, and performed under this name early in his career.
His first major professional job was with Joe Haymes
in 1935; following this he worked with Artie Shaw
(1936, 1941), Tommy Dorsey
(1937-41; also studied under Dorsey's father), Jack Teagarden
, Glenn Miller
(1939), Will Bradley
(1941), and Benny Goodman
(1943). He put together his own band in 1938, and continued to lead off and on through the 1940s. He adopted the name Lee Castle in 1942.
In 1953 he returned to duty under Tommy Dorsey
and his brother Jimmy Dorsey
; after Jimmy's death, Castle became the leader of his ensemble, remaining in the position until the 1980s.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter and bandleader. He was born Lee Aniello Castaldo, and performed under this name early in his career.
His first major professional job was with Joe Haymes
Joe Haymes
Joseph Lawrence Haymes was an American jazz bandleader and arranger.Born in Marshfield, Missouri, Haymes relocated with his family to Springfield, Missouri, after his railroader father was killed in an accident. Joe attended Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield and was a drummer in the local...
in 1935; following this he worked with Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw
Arthur Jacob Arshawsky , better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He was also the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings....
(1936, 1941), Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
(1937-41; also studied under Dorsey's father), Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden
Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden , known as "Big T" and "The Swingin' Gate", was an influential jazz trombonist, bandleader, composer, and vocalist, regarded as the "Father of Jazz Trombone".-Early life:...
, Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
(1939), Will Bradley
Will Bradley
Wilbur Schwictenberg was an American trombonist and bandleader who also performed under the name Will Bradley...
(1941), and Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
(1943). He put together his own band in 1938, and continued to lead off and on through the 1940s. He adopted the name Lee Castle in 1942.
In 1953 he returned to duty under Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
and his brother Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
; after Jimmy's death, Castle became the leader of his ensemble, remaining in the position until the 1980s.