Biography
Leonid Utyosov established and led a widely admired Soviet jazz orchestra from its formation in 1929 until 1982, serving throughout as its principal singer and director. He rose to become an emblematic figure and source of national pride in Soviet arts, achieving unmatched popularity as a vocalist even though he possessed no formal musical training. In an era when authorities denounced jazz as “music of the fats,” Utyosov succeeded in legitimizing the style and safeguarding it as the inaugural expression of Soviet jazz.
Born in Odessa in 1895 to a middle-class Jewish household, Utyosov joined a provincial theater troupe as an actor in 1911. Years of touring and performing in numerous productions honed his craft, so that by the early 1920s he was appearing regularly in theaters across Moscow and Leningrad. All the while he nurtured the ambition of assembling his own jazz ensemble. Late in 1928 he began realizing that goal, recruiting like-minded players and shaping a debut program. On 8 March 1929 the new band made its first appearance on the stage of the Leningrad Small Opera Theater, an event whose acclaim exceeded expectations. Utyosov later accounted for the reception in these words: “It is easiest to say that our success was in the novelty—such numbers like our thea-jazz had not yet been performed. There was of course jazz created by a blueprint, a foreign blueprint…We, however, suggested a completely new genre, untried, theatrical jazz…Our whole program was sprinkled with jokes, sarcasm, humor. In front of the audience not only a band was born, but also a company, a gathering of the happy, not dampened by sadness, people, with whom one could find joy and with whom one was certain to have a good time…I think that the success of our first program was grounded particularly in our optimism and humor.”
Thereafter and for the remainder of his life, Utyosov remained the indispensable leader and soloist of the orchestra he had founded. Although critics repeatedly condemned his jazz, audiences embraced it at once. The ensemble’s opening repertoire consisted chiefly of American and European jazz pieces. Over time the group incorporated works by Soviet composers including Isaac Dunayevsky, L. Diderihs, and Matvey Blanter, while also adding popular songs that Utyosov introduced to nationwide audiences: “The Heart,” “By the Samovar,” “Everything Is Right My Beautiful Marquise,” “Polyushko-Pole,” “The Cherished Stone,” “The Sea Is Spread Out,” and others. In 1934 he starred with his musicians in Grigory Alexandrov’s film The Cheerful Guys, which proved a major success. His daughter Edit Utyosova joined the orchestra that same period and served for many years as its vocalist. Throughout World War II the band performed for troops, restoring vitality and optimism to appreciative listeners. In 1965 Utyosov was named People’s Artist of the U.S.S.R. He died on 9 March 1982, yet his performances endure on recordings and in the volumes he authored.
Born in Odessa in 1895 to a middle-class Jewish household, Utyosov joined a provincial theater troupe as an actor in 1911. Years of touring and performing in numerous productions honed his craft, so that by the early 1920s he was appearing regularly in theaters across Moscow and Leningrad. All the while he nurtured the ambition of assembling his own jazz ensemble. Late in 1928 he began realizing that goal, recruiting like-minded players and shaping a debut program. On 8 March 1929 the new band made its first appearance on the stage of the Leningrad Small Opera Theater, an event whose acclaim exceeded expectations. Utyosov later accounted for the reception in these words: “It is easiest to say that our success was in the novelty—such numbers like our thea-jazz had not yet been performed. There was of course jazz created by a blueprint, a foreign blueprint…We, however, suggested a completely new genre, untried, theatrical jazz…Our whole program was sprinkled with jokes, sarcasm, humor. In front of the audience not only a band was born, but also a company, a gathering of the happy, not dampened by sadness, people, with whom one could find joy and with whom one was certain to have a good time…I think that the success of our first program was grounded particularly in our optimism and humor.”
Thereafter and for the remainder of his life, Utyosov remained the indispensable leader and soloist of the orchestra he had founded. Although critics repeatedly condemned his jazz, audiences embraced it at once. The ensemble’s opening repertoire consisted chiefly of American and European jazz pieces. Over time the group incorporated works by Soviet composers including Isaac Dunayevsky, L. Diderihs, and Matvey Blanter, while also adding popular songs that Utyosov introduced to nationwide audiences: “The Heart,” “By the Samovar,” “Everything Is Right My Beautiful Marquise,” “Polyushko-Pole,” “The Cherished Stone,” “The Sea Is Spread Out,” and others. In 1934 he starred with his musicians in Grigory Alexandrov’s film The Cheerful Guys, which proved a major success. His daughter Edit Utyosova joined the orchestra that same period and served for many years as its vocalist. Throughout World War II the band performed for troops, restoring vitality and optimism to appreciative listeners. In 1965 Utyosov was named People’s Artist of the U.S.S.R. He died on 9 March 1982, yet his performances endure on recordings and in the volumes he authored.
Albums
