Shelley Manne

1920 – 1984

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Nonpareil drummer, beloved band leader, respected night club owner/operator, and composer for Hollywood, television (“Daktari") and jazz groups, Manne was also a successful breeder of trotting horses.  Despite his virtuosity on the drums, Manne was famous for not taking marathon solos and not hogging the spotlight.  He had been a part of the jazz scene since his teenage years in the 1930’s and was instrumental in establishing the West Coast or Cool style in the 50’s.

 

Absolutely no one had a bad word to say regarding the leader of “Shelly Manne and His Men” or the club owner of “Shelly’s Manne-Hole”.  Everyone remembered him as witty, fun loving, friendly, and, above all, musical.  His discography is the size of a phone book. Vibist Emil Richards said, “Manne played music-- not drums.”

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Photograph by Roger Kallins. Courtesy of Patricia Darlington.

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