Biography
Victor Stanley Feldman (1934–1987) was an English jazz musician renowned for his mastery of piano, vibraphone, and percussion. Born in Edgware, Middlesex, England, Feldman was a child prodigy, performing professionally by the age of seven and quickly gaining recognition for his extraordinary talent. He began his career as a drummer, playing with his brothers in the Feldman Trio and even performing with Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force Band as a young boy. His early fame led to appearances in films and on BBC broadcasts, and by his teens, he had expanded his repertoire to include piano and vibraphone. Feldman’s family was deeply musical, and his father founded the Feldman Swing Club in London to showcase his sons’ talents.
Feldman moved to the United States in the mid-1950s, where he became a prominent figure in the West Coast jazz scene. He recorded with major jazz artists such as Woody Herman, Buddy DeFranco, Cannonball Adderley, and Miles Davis, contributing notably to Davis’s classic album 'Seven Steps to Heaven,' which featured Feldman’s own composition. While he was a respected jazz musician, Feldman also became a prolific session player, working with a wide range of pop and rock artists including Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, and Joe Walsh. His versatility and skill made him one of the most sought-after studio musicians in Los Angeles. Feldman’s legacy endures through his influential recordings, his contributions to both jazz and popular music, and his reputation as one of Britain’s finest jazz musicians.
Fun Facts
- Victor Feldman was the only British musician to ever play with Glenn Miller and his orchestra.
- He was featured in several motion pictures and on BBC broadcasts as a child.
- Feldman won the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences 'Most Valuable Player' award for 1980 and 1981.
- He composed the jazz classic 'Seven Steps to Heaven,' which became famous through Miles Davis’s recording.
Associated Acts
- The Victor Feldman All Stars
- Ben Tucker and His Quintet - piano
- Shelly Manne & His Men
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Carlo Krahmer - Encouraged Feldman to play the vibraphone (Ralph Sharon Sextet, Roy Fox band) [early 1950s]
- Glenn Miller - Featured Feldman as a young drummer, called him 'the greatest young percussionist ever created' (Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band concert) [1944]
Key Collaborators
- Woody Herman - Played piano with the Woody Herman Herd (Tours and recordings) [1956–1957]
- Cannonball Adderley - Member of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet (Recordings and performances) [1960–1961]
- Miles Davis - Recorded 'Seven Steps to Heaven' with Davis (Seven Steps to Heaven (album)) [1963]
- Steely Dan - Session musician (Various albums) [1970s]
- Frank Zappa - Session musician (Various albums) [1967]
- Tom Waits - Session musician (Various albums) [1980s]
- Joe Walsh - Session musician (Various albums) [1980s]
Artists Influenced
- Tom Scott - Played in Feldman’s Generation Band (Generation Band recordings) [1980s]
- Robben Ford - Played in Feldman’s Generation Band (Generation Band recordings) [1980s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Arrival of Victor Feldman | 2020-11-20 | Album |
| Live in Las Vegas | 2023-05-05 | Album |
| To Chopin With Love | 1983-05-06 | Album |
| Latinsville! | 1959-01-01 | Album |
| Evening in Paris | 2008-08-08 | Album |
| A Retrospective | 1997-07-15 | Album |
| Secret of the Andes | 1982-03-05 | Album |
| Merry Olde Soul | 1961-02-01 | Album |
| Sunshine on a Dull Day - Timeless Modern Jazz by Victor Feldman | 2025-10-31 | Album |
| Seven Steps to Heaven | 2009-11-16 | Album |
| The Arrival Of Victor Feldman | 2000-01-01 | Album |
| High Visibility | 1985-03-08 | Album |
Top Tracks
- L.O.V.E. And You And I (In Between)
- Caper at the Coffee House (Pop and Tv Themes Go Jazz)
- Serpent's Tooth (Evening in Paris)
- With Your Love - Piano and Guitar
- Waltz for Scotty (A Major Waltz) (To Chopin With Love)
- Serpent's Tooth (The Arrival of Victor Feldman)
- Skippin'
- Woody 'N You (Latinsville!)
- Rio
- Flamingo (The Arrival of Victor Feldman)
External Links
Tags: #cool-jazz, #hard-bop, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
VICTOR FELDMAN has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2025 | 17:42 | LISAfrom MERRY OLDE SOUL | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray |