Artie Shapiro

Shapiro was born in Denver, Colorado, on January 15, 1916.[1] He began on trumpet at age 13 and picked up bass at 18.[2]

In the late 1930s he played with Wingy Manone, Joe Marsala, Eddie Condon, and Chu Berry.[2] From 1938 to 1940 he played with Paul Whiteman, then returned to play with Marsala in addition to working with Bobby Hackett.[2]

Shapiro moved to Hollywood in the early 1940s, playing with Jack Teagarden and Joe Sullivan before serving in the United States Army.[2] In 1947 he returned to music, playing with Benny Goodman.[2] He also accompanied singers such as Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Doris Day,[2] Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.[1] Shapiro's list of recording credits runs to more than 100 during his period of activity, stretching into the late 1960s.[2] He died in Los Angeles on March 24, 2003.[2]

• Interview with Artie Shapiro NAMM Oral History Library (2002)