{"id":19,"date":"2016-08-09T13:24:11","date_gmt":"2016-08-09T13:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/pomeroy\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2024-10-25T15:14:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T15:14:40","slug":"biography","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/pomeroy\/biography\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn about Herb"},"content":{"rendered":"

“For over half a century, Herb Pomeroy was one of New England\u2019s most important jazz figures, but his influence was international. A master trumpeter-improvisor, bandleader-conductor, educator-mentor, and arranger\u2014Herb had it all. And on top of all these talents he was a very warm and generous human being.”\u00a0– Fred Harris, Director of MIT Jazz Ensemble<\/p>\n

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\"Pomeroy

Pomeroy with trumpet – Gloucester High School concert – circa 1940s.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Early Years<\/h2>\n

Irving Herbert \u201cHerb\u201d Pomeroy III was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1930. He was inspired to take up the trumpet after seeing Louis Armstrong play the instrument\u00a0in a movie, and began taking lessons at age 11. He was leading his first band only months later.<\/p>\n

By age 14, Pomeroy was playing professionally in and around Gloucester, thanks to a shortage of musicians caused by World War II. He also played in his high school band, first at Gloucester High School\u00a0and later at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Pomeroy attended Harvard University, intending to continue his family\u2019s long line of dentists. However, he left after one year and began taking classes at Schillinger House in Boston, which later became the Berklee College of Music. Before long, he was playing gigs in Boston and quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the city\u2019s jazz scene.<\/p>\n

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\"Pomeroy

Pomeroy playing with Lionel Hampton in a 1954 photo from the collection.<\/p><\/div>\n

Performer<\/h2>\n

Trumpeter<\/h3>\n

By the age of twenty-five, Pomeroy had taken the jazz world by storm. He was performing with big names like Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton, Lionel Hampton, Jaki Byard, and Serge Chaloff, gigging as both a section player and a soloist. He was also becoming known as a talented composer and arranger.<\/p>\n

Listen to an introduction of Herb & Bird at Storyville, 1953<\/a><\/div>\n

In the early 1950s, Pomeroy was a fixture at The Stable, a jazz venue in Boston\u2019s Copley Square. He was part of the quintet that recorded Jazz in a Stable<\/em>, a live album that received a five-star review in the venerable Down Beat<\/em> magazine. Another review of the album in Metronome<\/em> declared \u201ctrumpeter Pomeroy is certainly the standout\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Apollo<\/a>

Pomeroy makes the Apollo marquee, circa 1950s. Click to see a medley of images from the concert.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bandleader<\/h3>\n

With a combination of renown as a trumpeter and his natural leadership abilities, Pomeroy formed the Herb Pomeroy Orchestra, which became one of Boston’s most admired big bands of the 1950s and beyond.<\/p>\n

The band recorded several acclaimed albums, including\u00a0Life is a Many Splendored Gig <\/em>in 1957. They played primarily at The Stable, but as their fame grew, they were invited to perform at legendary New York venues Birdland and the Apollo Theater. They soon added performances\u00a0around Boston to their schedule, and in 1958 they took the stage at the Newport Jazz Festival, earning high critical praise.<\/p>\n

Listen to Herb lead his arrangement of Coltrane\u2019s \u201cMoment\u2019s Notice\u201d with his orchestra, 1977<\/a><\/div>\n

Pomeroy continued to lead iterations of his jazz band through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, performing extensively throughout Massachusetts and around the world. He appeared as a guest conductor on the international stage, including engagements\u00a0in Sweden, Denmark, and Malaysia.<\/p>\n

In addition to his own bands, Pomeroy led jazz ensembles — and served on the faculties — at the Berklee College of Music, MIT, and the New England Conservatory (NEC).<\/p>\n

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Educator<\/h2>\n

While Pomeroy was establishing himself as one of the most renowned jazz performers, he was also dedicating himself to education.\u00a0With a teaching career that started in 1955 and stretched well beyond his retirement in 1995, Pomeroy kept working until his death in 2007. During his career, Pomeroy mentored countless jazz musicians and created innovative courses that drew students from around the world.\u00a0Whether it was teaching in the classroom, directing a jazz ensemble, coaching combos, guest conducting, or mentoring musicians of all ages on the bandstand, Pomeroy was the consummate jazz educator.<\/p>\n

Listen to Herb instruct students<\/a><\/div>\n
\"Pomeroy

Pomeroy conducts the Berklee Recording Band (later renamed the Concert Jazz Orchestra), circa late 1960s.<\/p><\/div>\n

Berklee College of Music (1955-1995)<\/h3>\n

Pomeroy began teaching at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1955, becoming a major influence at the school. He remained on the faculty for 40\u00a0years, teaching classes in line writing, arranging, composition, orchestration, and arranging in the style of Duke Ellington. Pomeroy also led the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra, which was originally called \u201cthe Recording Band.\u201d\u00a0Berklee bestowed Pomeroy\u00a0with an honorary doctorate after he retired in 1995, and he continued to teach at the college part time.<\/p>\n

Explore more about Pomeroy via\u00a0the Berklee College of Music:<\/p>\n