Artie Shaw, one of the most prominent musicians of the swing era, was born in New York City on May 23, 1910, to Russian-born Jewish immigrants. His mother was a pianist, and Shaw's initial exposure to music came from her. He began taking violin lessons at the age of eight. Shaw's interest in dance music was sparked by his experience with the dance craze of the 1920s, particularly in the 'Rhythm Clubs' where he frequently performed.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Shaw became a skilled clarinetist, eventually landing a job in a dance band, eventually leading to his first big band in 1932. It was a year marked by numerous recordings and tours with bands. Shaw's music style was primarily influenced by the dance music popular during that time. His notable recordings include "Begin The Beguine", "Stardust", and "Nightmare".

Shaw's band went through some significant changes during the 1940s, and some talented musicians, including Jack Teagarden, and Benny Goodman, contributed to this era of Shaw's music. The 1940s, however, were also marked by significant challenges, including the rise of the Big Band era, which made it increasingly hard for Shaw's band to compete and eventually led to its dissolution in 1944.

Despite these challenges, Shaw continued his pursuit of music and went on to perform in various settings, ranging from solo to collaborative endeavors, with artists like Ella Fitzgerald. In the 1950s, he briefly re-established his band but failed to achieve the level of success he had experienced in the past. After this, Shaw mostly focused on television appearances and continued to perform until his passing in 2004.