Miriam Shaw

Photo of Miriam Shaw

History records very little about Miriam Shaw. Shaw joined Les Brown in 1937, becoming the first female vocalist for his new band. She recorded several numbers during her three-year stay and was popular with critics, appearing on the band’s NBC radio show. Brown’s early band struggled and was accused of lacking personality and stage presence, though Shaw was often singled out as having “showmanly attributes.”

Shaw left Brown’s orchestra in February 1940 for Richard Himber and disappeared from the annals of history. She was replaced in Brown’s band by Shirley Gaye.

Sources

  1. “The Reviewing Stand: Les Brown.” Billboard 29 Oct. 1938: 14.
  2. “Wax Works.” The Auburn Plainsman [Auburn, Alabama] 10 Feb. 1939: 4.
  3. “Nottingham Carnival To Open July 3.” The Hopewell Herald [Hopewell, New Jersey] 28 Jun. 1939: 4.
  4. “Vaudeville Reviews: Loew's State, New York.” Billboard 11 Nov. 1939: 23.
  5. “They Thrill Boston.” Down Beat 1 Dec. 1939: 14.
  6. “Himber Orchestra Booked at Liberty.” Zanesville Signal 15 Feb. 1940: 10.
  7. “Bishop Joins Brown.” Down Beat 1 Mar. 1940: 21.
  8. “Stuff's Here.” Down Beat 15 Mar. 1940: 4.