Biography

Died by hanging himself.

Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992.

Jazz drummer and bandleader. Among the many famous musicians who played in his band at one time or another are Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Fud Livingston, Victor Young, Jack Teagarden, Jimmy McPartland, Smith Ballew (vocalist), Ray Bauduc, Charlie Spivak, Nappy Lamare, Matty Matlock, Eddie Miller, Yank Lawson, Shorty Sherock, Harry James, Freddie Slack, Muggsy Spanier, Gene Krupa, Clyde Hurley, Bud Freeman, Babe Russin, Gil Rodin, Scrappy Lambert (vocalist), Peggy Mann (vocalist), Mel Tormé (vocalist).

From August 1943, Pollack gave up full-time music to operate a booking agency and a record company (Jewel), as well as running a restaurant in Palm Springs. After 1949, he again fronted a sextet based at the Beverly Cavern and subsequently appeared as himself in The Benny Goodman Story (1956).

Pollack was involved in countless arguments with members of his band, many of whom ended up leaving. This was primarily because Pollack was more interested in the commercial rather than the creative side of jazz. In later years, pent-up resentment caused Pollack to engage in multiple lawsuits against, among others, Benny Goodman, Bob Crosby and the Victor record company.