Quick Facts
Biography
Milton "Milt" Herth (November 3, 1902 – June 18, 1969) was an American jazz organist, known for his work on the Hammond organ soon after it was introduced in 1935. Herth's work is available from his recordings of the 1930s and 1940s.
Biography
Herth was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the son of Erick Herth and Mary Lautrop. In 1937, Herth began to work with jazz pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith in Chicago, when Smith also signed to Decca Records. Herth, Smith, and drummer O'Neil Spencer formed the Milt Herth Trio. The trio became a quartet with the addition of Teddy Bunn on guitar in April 1938.
Herth also played himself in several short films (Love and Onions (1935), Swing Styles (1939), and Jingle Belles, (1941)) as well as the longer 1942 film, Juke Box Jenny, a movie noted for being a series of musical performances.
He died in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 18, 1969.
Discography
- The Monkeys Have No Tails in Pago Pago 10-19-1939 (DECCA 2964A)
- Ain't She Sweet: Coral Records
- Hi-Jinks on the Hammond: Capitol H425
- Milt Herth Trio: DECCA DL5359)