R.I.P. Artie Shaw

I didn't know Artie Shaw -- who must be the last of the big band leaders -- was still alive, but I'm very sorry to hear that, as this NY Times Obit shows, he died: "Artie Shaw, the jazz clarinetist and big-band leader who successfully challenged Benny Goodman's reign as the King of Swing with his recordings of 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Lady Be Good' and 'Star Dust' in the late 1930's, died today, his orchestra's manager, Will Curtis, said. He was 94 and lived in Newbury Park, Calif." It's rather wonderful to see what a ripe old age he achieved, and it's a great trip down musical memory lane to read the whole obit.