Austin Wylie led a popular orchestra based out of Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1920s and 1930s. Several big name musicians and bandleaders passed through the ranks of Wylie's group, including Artie Shaw, Claude Thornhill, Vaughn Monroe, Jack Jenney, Johnny ''Scat'' Davis, Tony Pastor, and Billy Butterfield. The band was sometimes listed as Austin Wylie's Golden Pheasant Orchestra.
Shaw served as arranger and musical director while with Wylie. Later, when Shaw formed his own group, Wylie became his manager.