Representative Albums: "Uncollected Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters," "The Futuristic Shuffle of Jan Savitt and the Top Hatters," "Live in Hi-Fi (1938)"
Representative Songs: "720 in the Books," "Blues in the Groove," "Paper Picker"
Biography
Violin, vocals, arranger, bandleader. Birthdate in dispute; officially listed as Sept. 4, 1913 but could be as early as 1908. Savitt's father played in Tsar Nicholas II's Imperial Regiment Band, and his family came to America in 1914. Savitt played violin as a child, and was invited to join the Philadelphia Orchestra at 15. He studied both in Europe and at the Curtis Institute, and in the '30s formed a string quartet that had a nationally broadcast show. He formed the band The Top Hatters in 1937, and began touring in 1938. Savitt was a child prodigy and accomplished player, but his real fame was as a bandleader. His groups were throughly practiced and disciplined, and the ensemble sound was considered among the finest of its era. Their signature song was "Quaker City Jazz," and they had a big hit with "720 in the Books." Savitt's band included vocalist George Tunnell, who used the name Bon Bon, and was one of the first Blacks to work with a white band. The band had a number of smash successes in the '40s, then made some low-budget films in 1946-1947. Savitt died suddenly while on a tour in 1948. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
Jan Savitt (born Jacob Savetnick in Shumsk, Russia September 4, 1907, died October 4, 1948 Sacramento, CA) was an American bandleader, musical arranger, and violinist. He was invited to joined the Philadelphia Orchestra when was only nineteen, having studied at the Curtis Institute and in Europe. His band The Top Hatters was formed in 1937 and began touring the following year. Their songs include "720 in the Books" "It's A Wonderful World" and his theme songs "Quaker City Jazz" and "From Out Of Space". Savitt was one of the first of the Big Band leaders to feature an African American vocalist, George "Bon Bon" Tunnell. His other vocalists were Carlotta Dale, Allan DeWitt, Joe Martin, and Gloria DeHaven. His band names include Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters, the Jan Savitt String Orchestra and Jan Savitt & His Orchestra.
