BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Bandleader and clarinetist legend Artie Shaw, famed for his recording of "Begin the

Jazz clarinetist Artie Shaw, famed for his classic recordings of "Begin the Beguine" and "Lady Be Good" as well as turbulent marriages to movie stars Lana Turner and Ava Gardner, died on Thursday at age 94.

Beguine" and one of the giants of the swing era of jazz, died at 94 on Thursday in California.

    Along with fellow bandleaders Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, Shaw gained his greatest popularity during what was known as the Big Band era.

    His 1938 recording of "Begin the Beguine" made him a national figure.

    As one of the giants of swing era jazz and a crusty, self-declared perfectionist, Shaw put down the clarinet in 1954 and never played it again, saying he could not reach the level of artistry he desired.

    But in 1981, he ended a long musical intermission by reorganizing a band that bore his name and played his music -- but with another clarinetist, Dick Johnson, leading the orchestra and playing the solos.

    Among his other famous songs were "Lady Be Good," "Indian Love Call" or "Frenesi."

    Shaw's wives included actresses Lana Turner (No. 3), Ava Gardner (No. 5) and Evelyn Keyes (No. 8), AP said. Novelist Kathleen Winsor, author of the 1944 bestseller "Forever Amber" was his sixth wife.  Enditem

    (Agencies)