Fred Rich And His Hotel Astor Orchestra

A major talent during the big-band era, Fred Rich is one of those leaders whose name might well have disappeared entirely, but for the fact that several alumni from his orchestra went on to bigger and longer careers. Born in Warsaw, Poland in 1898, Fredric Efrem Rich emigrated with his family to America early in the 20th century. The Riches settled in New York City, and Freddie, who showed great musical proficiency, took up the piano as a boy. By the time he was in his mid-teens, he'd found a very practical use for his talent, getting employment as a movie theater pianist; Ric...