Jan Garber

Billed as "the Idol of the Airwaves," Jan Garber led a big band in the 1930s that was the epitome of "sweet" music. His reed section's quavering saxophones (sounding as if they were overflowing with emotion that almost bordered on sarcasm) were the band's trademark and, when it came to corn, few could compete with Garber. Many of his prime period's recordings are barely listenable today, but strangely enough, Garber was responsible for some worthwhile music during two periods. Garber went to the University of North Carolina, and shortly after World War I he played violin in th...