Savitt, Jan
(1913–1948)
Savitt, Jan (4 Sep 1913–4 Oct 1948) Russian/American violinist and Big Band leader, born in Petrograd, Russia. He grew up in Philadelphia and studied at the Curtis Institute, then played violin in the Philadelphia Orchestra. In the 1930s he was a musical director on a Philadelphia radio station, then formed a dance band for broadcasting. He took the band on tour, and gained a fine reputation for attractive swing and dance arrangements. He died in Sacramento, California. Savitt made a few early…