Jan Garber

Jan Garber (b. Indianapolis, November 5, 1894 – d. Shreveport, Louisiana, October 5, 1977) – Bandleader and violinist. Educated at the Combs Conservatory of Philadelphia, Garber played violin with the Philadelphia Orchestra before serving in WW I. With pianist Milton Davis, he co-founded the Garber-Davis Orchestra in 1921. A purveyor of “sweet” dance music like Paul Whiteman, Garber earned the nickname “The Idol of the Airwaves.” After parting ways with Davis in 1924, Garber led his own group, which he later transformed into a big band. During the 1930s, his band made several successful records on Victor. During WW II, he turned to swing jazz, but, due to recording restrictions, his band returned to “sweet” music for the remainder of his career. Now based in the Milwaukee area, Jan Garber’s group exists as a ghost band under the direction of Howard Schneider.