Heinie Beau

Clarinet, reeds, arranger. An outstanding clarinet player who was successful in both traditional and swing circles, Heinie Beau became a familiar figure in Hollywood circles, doing arrangements for radio and television as well as recording sessions. Beau had been in Tommy Dorsey's orchestra from 1940 - 1943. He recorded with Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and many jazz bands, particulary Red Nichols. Beau and Nichols were comrades and musical partners from the early '40s until Nichols' death in 1965. During the late '50s Beau re-arranged several Nichols' pieces, retaining the flavor and instrumentation of the originals while updating and infusing them with his own dynamic. He toured Europe in the '70s. ~ Ron Wynn