Dick Stabile

Dick Stabile (May 29, 1909 – September 18, 1980) was an American jazz saxophonist and bandleader.

Early years

Born May 29, 1910, in Newark, New Jersey, Stabile was the son of a violinist. While growing up, he learned to play piano and violin.

Career

Stabile got his start playing in theater ensembles on Broadway in the 1950s.

At age 15, Stabile began playing with Vincent Lopez and his orchestra. Lopez required him to learn to play saxophone, and Lopez discovered that he preferred that to playing piano and violin. He subsequently played with Jules Ansel's and George Olsen's orchestras before he joined Ben Bernie's orchestra in 1928, where he remained for several years.

In 1935 he started his own ensemble, the All-America "Swing" Band, which featured Bunny Berigan, Dave Barbour, Frank Signorelli and Stan King. He recorded with vocalists such as Berigan, Paula Kelly, Burt Shaw, and Gracie Barrie, the last of which he would go on to marry. During this time Stabile recorded for the labels Decca, Bluebird, ARC, and Vocalion/Okeh. His band worked often in hotels in New York City and was chosen to play at the New York World's Fair in 1959–60.