Margie Hyams

Marjorie Hyams (August 9, 1920 – June 14, 2012) was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, and arranger. She began her career as a vibraphonist in the 1940s, playing with Woody Herman, the Hip Chicks, Mary Lou Williams, Charlie Ventura, and George Shearing. She also led her own groups.

Career South side of 52nd Street, New York, between 5th & 6th Avenues — looking east ( 1948). Notice the Margie Hyams Trio on the marquee at the Three Deuces jazz club.Photo: William P. Gottlieb, United States Library of Congress's Music Division

Hyams had her own trio and quartet from 1940 to 1944, and played with Woody Herman and Flip Phillips in the mid-1940s. In 1945, she played with the all-female band Hip Chicks and, with guitarists such as Tal Farlow, Mundell Lowe, and Billy Bauer, formed another trio that performed on Manhattan's 52nd Street until 1948. In 1946, she arranged and sang with Charlie Ventura and recorded with Mary Lou Williams. Hyams joined George Shearing from 1949 to 1950.

Woody Herman Jack Siefert, a lifelong friend of Woody Herman, introduced Hyams to Herman, who had broken convention in 1941 by hiring female trumpeter Billie Rogers. Hyams was one of Herman's vibraphonist alumni that included Terry Gibbs, Red Norvo, and Milt Jackson, all of whom, according to jazz author Doug Ramsey, were elite musicians.

Later reflecting on her time with Herman's First Herd, Hyams said:

George Shearing Hyams was a founding member (1949/50) of the popular George Shearing Quintet, which introduced a new and much-imitated ensemble sound in small group modern jazz. In his autobiography, Shearing called Hyams a "very fine musician" and a "thoroughly schooled classical pianist". He said they "got on very well" and acknowledged her contribution of November Seascape and other original compositions. He added that when she left the group, he thought she had "just got tired of working for someone else and traveling so much, even though she was drawing a good salary".

Personal life Hyams was born August 9, 1920, in New York Her brother, Mark Hyams (1914–2007), was a jazz pianist who played with big bands, including those of Will Hudson (mid-1930s) and Spud Murphy (late-1930s).

Hyams married William G. "Bill" Ericsson (1927–1978) on June 6, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. From 1951 to 1970, she played, taught, and arranged in Chicago. Margie and Bill had three children: Lisa, Kristin (deceased), and Tod.

Hyams died June 14, 2012, in Arcadia, California.

The media, marquees, and promos often spelled her first name "Margie", but she insisted that it was spelled with a "j".

Selected discography

Two again (Frances Wayne, vocal)

Golden wedding

Four or five times (Woody Herman Band, vocals)

Who dat up dere?

Let me love you tonight (Frances Wayne, vocal)

Tain't me (Woody Herman, vocal)" Time waits for no one (Frances Wayne, vocal; es arr)" I've got you under my skin (arranged by Ralph Burns)" Somebody loves me (Woody Herman, vocal)" Come out, come out, wherever you are, (Frances Wayne, vocal)" Woodchopper's ball" Theme"Notes: Opening night, during the band's stay in Hollywood they filmed Earl Carroll's Vanities for Republic Pictures in which they played Apple Honey (only the first half of the number is audible in the final print)Source: Tom Lord Discography (2012)