Solid!
The encyclopedia of big band, lounge, classic jazz and space-age sounds.
Mal Hallett
Died
- 1952
- Boston, MA
Theme Song
- Boston Tea Party
Mal Hallett
Swing pioneer Mal Hallett graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music. During WWI he entertain troops in France as a member of Al Moore's orchestra. In the 1930s Hallett formed a very progressive dance band that spent most of its existence touring the New England area. During its heyday Hallett's orchestra featured many young singers and musicians who would go on to become big stars in their own right, such as Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Frankie Carle, Jack Jenney, Toots Mondello, Irene Daye, and Pied Piper Clark Yocum. Though the group had many followers the band's hard hitting style kept them from ever achieving any big success. Hallett was also older than most of the other swing leaders, and he had trouble connecting with the younger fans. Mal Hallett passed away in 1952.