Woody Herman (1913–1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and bandleader who led a series of influential orchestras known as 'The Herds.' His First Herd in the mid-1940s was one of the most exciting big bands of the era, and his subsequent orchestras continued to evolve with the times, incorporating bebop, cool jazz, and later rock influences. Herman's bands were known for their energy, precision, and willingness to perform challenging new music, commissioning works from composers like Igor Stravinsky and Ralph Burns.