Ben Pollack (June 22, 1903 - June 7, 1971) was an American drummer and bandleader from the mid-1920s through the swing era. His eye for talent led him to either discover or employ, at one time or another, musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland and Harry James. This ability earned him the nickname "Father of Swing".
Pollack was involved in countless arguments with members of his band, many of whom ended up leaving. This was primarily because Pollack was more interested in the commercial rather than the creative side of jazz. In later years, pent-up resentment caused Pollack to engage in multiple lawsuits against, among others, Benny Goodman, Bob Crosby and the Victor record company.
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From August 1943, Pollack gave up full-time music to operate a booking agency and a record company (Jewel), as well as running a restaurant in Palm Springs. After 1949, he again fronted a sextet based at the Beverly Cavern and subsequently appeared as himself in The Benny Goodman Story (1956).
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Played drums with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and with Art Kassel, before forming his own orchestra in Los Angeles in 1925. By the mid-30's, Pollack gave up drumming to concentrate on business matters. Hi band had broken up the previous year to form the nucleus for Bob Crosby's Bobcats.
$1.1 Million
