Claude Thornhill & His Orchestra

Big band orchestra founded in 1939 by Claude Thornhill. Thornhill formed his first "orchestra" in 1937 when he sponsored the young singer, Maxine Sullivan, working as her accompanist, arranger, and musical director. Thornhill's swing adaptation of "Loch Lomond" became a hit record and brought him public acclaim. He formed a larger band/orchestra in 1939. Claude Thornhill led one of the most cutting-edge dance bands of the 1940s. The group stood out due to its use of French horns and tuba in addition to the more standard brass section of trumpets and trombones. In addition to his own arrangements, Thornhill gave early exposure to such musical futurists as Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan. The sound of the Thornhill band had a noticeable and well-documented effect on the sound of Miles Davis' classic "Birth of the Cool" sessions; notable Thornhill associates involved with these sessions included Evans, Mulligan, Johnny Carisi and Lee Konitz.