Matty Matlock(1907-1978)

American jazz/big band clarinettist and arranger. He played clarinet from the age of twelve, mostly in or around his home town of Nashville. Gigged with several local and territory bands before spells with the orchestras of Jimmy Joy and Beasley Smith. He eventually replaced Benny Goodman in Ben Pollack's outfit, remaining with the band from 1929 until 1934. Afterwards, he became more active arranging and writing music. Until late 1942, he performed with groups led by Bob Crosby and Eddie Miller. Based on the West Coast from 1943, Matlock became a successful Hollywood studio musician, best known for his work as orchestrator of Pete Kelly's Blues (1955). Both the film and TV series featured Matlock's arrangements. In the 1950's and 60's, he occasionally fronted his own groups (notably the 'Paducah Patrol). He also worked with other prominent musicians, including Paul Weston and Billy May, as well as regularly performing at Bob Crosby reunions. He was forced to retire in 1975 due to illness and died three years later in Los Angeles.