An American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader, Woody Herman led one of the most enduring and innovative big bands in jazz history. Active from the swing era through the 1980s, his "Thundering Herds" were renowned for their progressive arrangements and served as a launching pad for many influential musicians and arrangers. Herman's commitment to evolving jazz styles kept his orchestras at the forefront of the music scene for over five decades.