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

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 ChicksGilbert Chase (1906–1992), American Music, From the Pilgrims to the Present,' revised 3rd ed., pg. 522, University of Illinois Press (1987) and, with guitarists such as Tal Farlow, Mundell Lowe, and Billy Bauer, formed another trio that performed on Manhattan's 52nd Street until 1948.Sally Joan Placksin, American Women in Jazz, 1900 to Present, Wideview Books, 1982 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.Gene Lees, Leader of the Band: The Life of Woody Herman, Oxford University Press (1995) 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.Douglas K. Ramsey, Jazz Matters: Reflections on the Music & Some of Its Makers, pg. 101 University of Arkansas Press (1989)

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".George Shearing with Alyn Shipton, Lullaby of Birdland, pp.116, 128 Continuum (2004); Roger Cotterrell, 'The Fleeting Fame of Marjorie Hyams' Jazz Rag, issue 183 (Winter 2024) p17.

Personal life Hyams was born August 9, 1920, in New York and grew up in Jamaica, Queens. 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)Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives, 1975 edition, Volume 2: Directors and Executives. New York: Standard & Poor's Corp. (1975) Who's Who in America, 40th edition, 1978–1979, Marquis Who's Who, Wilmette, IL (1978) Obituary: William G. Ericsson, Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1978 on June 6, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois.Cook County, Illinois, Marriage Index, 1930–1960 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 ReleasesWoody HermanCBS’s Old Gold Show Rehearsal, New York, September 27, 1944 1-2-3-4 jump (Woodchoppers)Hindsight 134, Jazz Unlimited (Denmark) 201-2085 CD Is You Is or Is You Ain't My BabyHindsight 134, Jazz Unlimited (Denmark) 201-2085 CD NoahFlip Phillips FliptetNew York, October 2, 1944Neal Hefti (trumpet), Bill Harris (trombone), Aaron Sachs (clarinet), Flip Phillips (tenor sax), Marjorie Hyams (vibraphone), Ralph Burns (piano), Billy Bauer (guitar), Chubby Jackson (bass), Dave Tough (drums)S1: Skyscraper (Hyams not on this cut)Signature 28106, Bob Thiele BBM1-1032, RCA (F) FXM3-7324S2: PappillomaSignature 28106, Bob Thiele BBM1-1032S3: A melody from the sky Signature 28119, Br 80175, Bob Thiele BBM1-1032, RCA (F) FXM3-7324S4: 1-2-3-4 jump (Woodchoppers)Shelton 1201, Bob Thiele BBM1-1032Notes: Bob Thiele BBM1-1032 titled "A melody from the sky." All above titles also on Doctor Jazz FW39419 titled "A melody from the sky" and Sony Music AK39419 CD titled "A melody from the sky"; see following sessions to late November 1945 for rest of CD.Woody HermanCBS’s Old Gold Show Rehearsal, New York, October 4, 1944 Apple HoneyHindsight 134Woody HermanAFRS Downbeat 141; possibly from CBS’s Old Gold Shows, New York, August – September 1944 PerdidoJazum 55, First Heard (United Kingdom) FH36 Apply honey (arr. by Ralph Burns)" Always (Frances Wayne, vocal)" Noah (Woody Herman, vocal; arranged by Ralph Burns)" Half past jumpin time (arranged by Neal Hefti)(aka Jones Beachhead) |style="background-color:#F8F8F8;padding-left:4em"|" |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| Two again (Frances Wayne, vocal) |style="background-color:#F8F8F8"|Jazum 56, First Heard (United Kingdom) FH36 |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| Golden wedding |style="background-color:#F8F8F8;padding-left:4em"|" |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| Four or five times (Woody Herman Band, vocals) |style="background-color:#F8F8F8;padding-left:4em"|" |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |colspan="2" style="background:#ffffff;padding-left:3em"|Notes: All titles on Solid Sender (Germany) SOL506< |-valign="bottom" style="text-align:left" |colspan="2" style="background:#F8F8F8;" |Woody Herman|-valign="center" style="text-align:left" |colspan="2" style="background:#F8F8F8;padding-left:3em" |AFRS One Night Stand 396 Broadcast, Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, October 17, 1944 |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| Who dat up dere? |style="background-color:#F8F8F8"|Jass JCD621 CD |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| Let me love you tonight (Frances Wayne, vocal) |style="background-color:#F8F8F8;padding-left:4em"|" |-valign="top" style="text-align:left" |style="background-color:white;padding-left:3em"| 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)

References

General references

Roger Cotterrell, 'The Fleeting Fame of Marjorie Hyams' Jazz Rag, issue 183 (Winter 2024) pp.16-17. The Complete Jazz At the Philharmonic On Verve, 1944–49, 10 CDs, Verve Records (1998) Scott Yanow, [ Marjorie Hyams] at Allmusic The Complete Encyclopedia of Popular Music and Jazz, 1900-1950, Three volumes, by Roger D. Kinkle (1916–2000), "Hyams" in Vol 2, Arlington House Publishers, New Rochelle, NY (1974) The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Third edition, Eight volumes, edited by Colin Larkin, "Hyams in Vol 4, Muze, London (1998) Grove's Dictionaries, New York (1998) The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, First edition, Two volumes, edited by Barry Dean Kernfeld, Macmillan Press, London (1988) The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, edited by Barry Dean Kernfeld, St. Martin's Press, New York (1994) The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, Second edition, Three volumes, edited by Barry Dean Kernfeld, Macmillan Publishers, London (2002) William D. Clancy, with Audree Coke Kenton, foreword by Steve Allen, Woody Herman: Chronicles of the Herds, Schirmer Books (1995)

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