Larry Binyon

Larry Binyon (September 16, 1908—February 10, 1974) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, and violinist who played on numerous recordings from the 1920s to 1950s.

Binyon was a sideman to many famed musicians of the time, including Ben Pollack, Bing Crosby, Fats Waller, Irving Mills, and Dorsey Brothers among others. He also performed on radio.

Larry Binyon was born Lawrence F. Binyon in Cicero, Illinois, on September 16, 1908, to Claude Ernest Binyon (1876–1924) and Josephine Armstrong Binyon (1878–1940). He had a brother, Hugh Armstrong Binyon (1904–1978). His father worked as a secretary for an oil company and his mother was a music teacher.

Binyon attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a year, where he played flute in the university's concert band.

Binyon's professional musical career began in the late 1920s in Chicago. In 1927, he played as part of Beasley Smith's band, which also included drummer Ray McKinley and clarinetist Matty Matlock.

Later in 1927, Binyon was recruited by drummer Ben Pollack's "Park Central Orchestra" to play saxophone, clarinet, and flute alongside Ed Bergman (violin), Alex Beller (violin), Benny Goodman (clarinet, alto saxophone), Bill Schumann (cello), Dick Morgan (banjo), Gil Rodin (alto saxophone), Harry Goodman (tuba), Jimmy McPartland (cornet), Ray Bauduc (drums), and Vic Briedis (piano). From July 1928 onwards, he recorded regularly with Pollack's band in New York. In December 1928, he played tenor saxophone and flute on their recordings of "She's One Sweet Show Girl" and "Or Baby Will Bye Bye You)" on Victor Records (21743). Belle Mann was the vocalist.

After a few more of Pollack's recordings through 1929, Binyon worked with Irving Mills And His Hotsy Totsy Gang in 1928–1930. In 1929, with Mills' group, he recorded Bill "Bojangles" Robinson's "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Doin' The New Low Down" on Brunswick Records(4535), accompanied by bassist Joe Tarto; drummer Chauncey Morehouse; trombonist Miff Mole; and trumpeters Manny Klein and Phil Napoleon. November 1928 saw the release of the hit "Whoopee Stomp" with Irving Mills' Musical Clowns.

In November 1929, Binyon's saxophone was heard on Fats Waller & His Buddies' recordings of "Lookin' Good But Feelin' Bad" and "I Need Someone Like You" with Albert Nicholas and Otto Hardwick (alto saxophone); Eddie Condon (banjo); Charles Clinkscales, Herman Hughes, Maceo Johnson (vocals); Al Morgan (double bass); Gene Krupa (drums); Jack Teagarden (trombone); and Henry "Red" Allen (trumpet).

After his last session with Pollack in January 1930, Binyon, in October 1930, played in the Broadway show Girl Crazy, a musical by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. The pit orchestra included Binyon, Red Nichols, Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Jack Teagarden.

During those years, Binyon continued to work with Red Nichols and made a few recordings.

In 1931, he recorded "I Found A Million Dollar Baby" and "Little Girl" for Sam Laninand his Orchestra, sharing the stage with Tony Colucci (banjo); Jimmy Dorsey(clarinet and alto saxophone); Arthur Schutt (piano); Tommy Dorsey (trombone); Bunny Berigan (trumpet); and Paul Small (vocals).

In 1932, Binyon made a recording with singer Chick Bullock & His Levee Loungers. In the following years, he worked with Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and Bing Crosby; The Charleston Chasers; and Dick McDonough.

In the fall of 1932, Binyon played flute and tenor sax on three recordings for The Boswell Sisters (Martha Boswell, Connie Boswell, Helvetia Boswell) with the Dorsey Brothers.

• "Sleep, Come On and Take Me" (August 1932)
• "Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia" (September 1932)
• "Minnie the Moocher’s Wedding Day" (November 1932)

In May 1937, Binyon played tenor sax and clarinet on "The Mood That I'm In" recording (Melotone Records) for Dick McDonough And His Orchestra, alongside double bassist Paul Prince, drummer Cozy Cole, pianist Claude Thornhill, trombonist Lloyd Turner, and trumpeter Bunny Berigan. Later that decade, he also did saxophone work with Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, and Bob Zurke.

In 1944, Binyon's tenor saxophone was heard on Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain" (Decca Records). Arranged by Toots Camarata, he was accompanied by Russ Case(trumpet); Hykie Schertzer, Jack Cressy (alto sax); Dave Bowman (piano); Carl Kress (guitar); and George Wettling (drums).

In 1946, Binyon left New York City and moved to Los Angeles, and worked again with Red Nichols. In the early 1950s, he accompanied Red Nichols and his Five Pennies on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, an NBC comedy radio program starring Alice Faye and Phil Harris. The program's musical director was Walter Scharf.

Binyon retired in 1955. Over the years, he had also worked with Roger Wolfe Kahn, Ethel Waters, Kay Thompson, Jess Stacy, Mildred Bailey, and Bea Wain.

Video: Ben Pollack & His Orch. "Waitin' For Katie" (1927)

Binyon died in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 1974, at age 65.