Robert J. “Bobby” Sherwood (1914–1981) was an American jazz and swing guitarist,
trumpeter, and bandleader born in Indianapolis. Sherwood began a career
performing in a Vaudeville group with parents Bob and Gail Sherwood. In 1933,
Sherwood replaced Eddie Lang as a guitarist in Bing Crosby’s band, remaining
until the early 1940s. Sherwood worked as an arranger for bandleaders including
Tommy Dorsey, Larry Clinton, Artie Shaw, Charlie Barnet, and Benny Goodman. In
1942, Sherwood formed a big band in Los Angeles and signed with Capitol Records.
The group’s debut single, “The Elk’s P...