Biography
Shelly Manne, born Sheldon Manne on June 11, 1920, in New York City, grew up immersed in music as the son of renowned drummer Max Manne, who worked at the Roxy Theatre. Initially trying the saxophone, Manne switched to drums at age 18, taking lessons from Billy Gladstone and drawing influence from Jo Jones. He began his professional career in 1940 with Bobby Byrne's orchestra, made his recording debut in 1941 with Joe Marsala, and served in the US Coast Guard Band during World War II, where he sat in at Manhattan jazz clubs. Post-war, he freelanced with Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton (1946-1952), Woody Herman, and Jazz at the Philharmonic tours alongside Ella Fitzgerald, establishing himself as a first-generation bebopper.[1][2][4][5][6]
In 1952, Manne relocated to Southern California with his wife Florence 'Flip' Butterfield, partly to escape New York's drug scene and pursue interests in music and horses, becoming a founding figure of West Coast jazz. He formed Shelly Manne and His Men, collaborated extensively in Hollywood studios starting with Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954), and worked with composers like Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, and John Williams. Key recordings include the groundbreaking 1956 jazz adaptation of My Fair Lady with André Previn and Leroy Vinnegar, the best-selling jazz album of that year. From 1960 to 1974, he owned the influential nightclub Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood, hosting legends like Tony Williams and Elvin Jones. His style was versatile—spanning cool jazz, bebop, avant-garde, swing, Dixieland, and fusion—known for lyrical, humorous solos and phenomenal technique.[1][2][3][4][5]
Manne appeared on over a thousand recordings, contributed to films like The Man with the Golden Arm and The Gene Krupa Story, and won awards in the horse industry for Standard-Bred Trotters. He died on September 26, 1984, leaving a legacy as one of jazz's most prolific and adaptable drummers, embodying the West Coast sound while refusing stylistic labels.[1][2][3][4]
Fun Facts
- Manne owned and operated the legendary jazz nightclub Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood from 1960 to 1974, hosting nearly every major jazz act passing through, including drummers Tony Williams and Elvin Jones.
- He was an accomplished horse breeder, winning numerous awards for Standard-Bred Trotters alongside his music career.
- Manne instructed Frank Sinatra on drumming for the film The Man with the Golden Arm and contributed to Hollywood soundtracks for composers like John Williams and Henry Mancini.
- His 1956 album My Fair Lady with André Previn was the best-selling jazz record of the year and earned a Grammy nomination.
Associated Acts
- Shelly Manne & His Men - drums (drum set), eponymous, original, principal
- André Previn and His Pals Shelly Manne & Red Mitchell - drums (drum set)
- The André Previn Trio - drums (drum set)
- Boyd Raeburn & His Orchestra - drums (drum set)
- John Graas Octet - drums (drum set)
- Teddy Charles Quintet - drums (drum set)
- Flip Phillips and His Hiptet - drums (drum set)
- Flip Phillips Boptet - drums (drum set)
- Shelly Manne & His Men - drums (drum set), eponymous, original
- The Poll Winners - drums (drum set)
- Shelly Manne Sextet - drums (drum set), eponymous, original
- Eddie Heywood Trio - drums (drum set)
- Johnny Mandel and his Orchestra - drums (drum set)
- The John Lewis Group - drums (drum set)
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Billy Gladstone - First drum teacher (Lessons in Radio City Music Hall basement) [c. 1938]
- Jo Jones - Stylistic influence from swing drumming (N/A) [1930s-1940s]
- Max Manne - Father, professional drummer who introduced him to music (Roxy Theatre work) [Childhood]
Key Collaborators
- Stan Kenton - Band member in progressive jazz orchestra (Innovations in Modern Music (1950), various 1946-1952) [1946-1952]
- André Previn - Trio leader on Broadway jazz adaptation (My Fair Lady (1956), Songs from My Fair Lady) [1956]
- Shorty Rogers - Trio without piano or bass (The Three and the Two) [1950s]
- Leroy Vinnegar - Bassist in trio (My Fair Lady (1956)) [1950s]
- Chet Baker - Recording sessions (Various West Coast jazz recordings) [1950s]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Early bebop recordings (Earliest Gillespie sessions) [1940s]
- Woody Herman - Gigging and band work (N/A) [1949]
Artists Influenced
- Tony Williams - Performed at his club, inspired by his playing (Shelly's Manne-Hole performances) [1960s-1970s]
- Elvin Jones - Performed at his club, part of drumming legacy (Shelly's Manne-Hole performances) [1960s-1970s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Empathy | 1962-11-01 | Album |
| The Poll Winners | 1957-01-01 | Album |
| The Poll Winners Ride Again! | 1991-01-01 | Album |
| ねむりのビル・エヴァンス | 2023-11-15 | Album |
| 2-3-4 | 1962 | Album |
| The Poll Winners Ride Again! | 2009-08-13 | Album |
| Bill Evans For Lovers (Deluxe Edition) | 2024-03-19 | Album |
| On Contemporary: Shelly Manne | 2021-12-03 | Album |
| GREATEST BILL EVANS | 2019-08-14 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Danny Boy (Empathy)
- Custard Puff (The Poll Winners Ride Again!)
- A Foggy Day (Kessel Plays Standards)
- Slowly (2-3-4)
- Custard Puff (The Poll Winners Ride Again!)
- On Green Dolphin Street (The Poll Winners)
- Jordu (The Poll Winners)
- Satin Doll (The Poll Winners)
- You Go To My Head (The Poll Winners)
- Let's Go Back To The Waltz (Empathy)
External Links
Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #avant-garde-jazz, #bebop
References
Heard on WWOZ
SHELLY MANNE has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | 17:56 | ZAMAR NODADfrom MY SON THE JAZZ DRUMMER | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray | |
| Nov 9, 2025 | 17:20 | THIS HEREfrom EXPLORING THE SCENE | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray | |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 17:32 | GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE!from WEST SIDE STORY | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray |