Artie Shaw (1910-2004) The musician was born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky on New York's Lower East Side. At his peak in the 1930s and 1940s, he ranked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller as the band leaders who made music swing. At age 14 he took up the clarinet, and the following year he left home to play all over America. His recording of "Begin the Beguine" ranks as one of the best-selling records of all time. Not far behind are "Star Dust," "Moon Glow," and "Dancing in the Dark."