Jack Sheldon

by Scott YanowOne of the great jokesters in jazz (whose spontaneous monologues are as hilarious as they are tasteless), Jack Sheldons personality has sometimes overshadowed his excellent trumpet playing and effective vocals. Sheldon started playing professionally at age 13. He moved to Los Angeles in 1947, joined the Air Force and played in military bands. After his discharge, Sheldon became a popular figure on the West Coast, playing and recording with many top musicians including Jimmy Giuffre, Herb Geller, Wardell Gray, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Curtis Counce, and Art Pepper. He worked as an actor in the 1960s (including starring in the short-lived television series Run Buddy Run), was seen nightly on The Merv Griffin Show, and in the 1970s and 80s he performed with Benny Goodman, Bill Berrys big band, in the studios, and with his own groups. He also made his mark on millions of American children by being the vocalist for both Conjuction Junction and Im Just a Bill from the Schoolhouse Rocks! series. Into the mid-90s, Jack Sheldon (who often uses a big band arranged by Tom Kubis) remained quite active in the Los Angeles area, recording regularly for Concord and his Butterfly label.