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Jack Sperling with Peggy Lee

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Jack Sperling
Here's a cool clip from a late 60's TV special. Peggy Lee sings one of her hits “Fever" backed by Max Bennett on bass, who later became more well-known when he switched to electric bass and played with Tom Scott's LA Express. The drummer is the legendary Jack Sperling in a rare on-camera appearance.

Sperling passed away a few years ago at the age of 82. He got his start with trumpeter Bunny Berigan's band, then joined the Glenn Miller band led by Tex Beneke after Miller died in a plane crash in 1944.

In that band was a young pianist and arranger by the name of Henry Mancini, which would prove to be fruitful later on in Sperling's career. He also was featured with Les Brown and his Band of Renown and West Coast jazz mainstays the Dave Pell Octet. He was also with clarinetist Pete Fountain and recorded an album entitled Pete Fountain presents Jack Sperling.

His drumming always exhibited great technique and great musicality. He was one of the first drummers along with Louis Bellson to adapt the double-bass drum concept into his playing. He enjoyed a long musical relationship with Henry Mancini, appearing on many of his albums and soundtracks.

The first time I heard the soundtrack to Peter Gunn I was taken by the driving yet tasteful playing of Sperling and he became one of my favorites. Mancini also used Shelly Manne a lot also. Mancini had an affinity for really great drummers.

Sperling also was on staff at NBC from 1959-1972. During this period he played for the Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and Andy Williams.

Now regarding the clip, I would like to mention first that on the original recording of “Fever", the drummer was Shelly Manne. Jack starts out with a nice break on brushes, then uses his hands on the set when Peggy comes in with her vocal. Jack sort of alludes to what Shelly originally did, but makes the tune his own, using his hands on the drumset as if the drumset was a huge set of congas and dropping well-place bombs throughout. I think it is a Rogers set, white marine pearl. Hope you enjoy it.

Scroll down to video to view the NBC Peggy Lee Special.

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