Austin Wylie

Austin James Wylie (born December 22, 1893 in Cleveland, Ohio – died December 7, 1947 in Parma, Ohio) was an American jazz bandleader. Wylie served in World War 1, including as a Musician 3rd Class and later Band Corporal in the Headquarters Company of the 135th Field Artillery in France. In the 1920s and 1930s Wylie led a dance band based in Cleveland, Ohio that operated as a territory band, though it also broadcast on national radio. While the band was engaged at the famous Golden Pheasant Restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio (1925-1926), it billed itself as Austin Wylie's Golden Pheasant Orchestra. A number of noted jazz musicians played in Wylie's orchestra, such as Jack Jenney, Tony Pastor, Nate Kazebier, Spud Murphy, Bill Stegmeyer, Joe Bishop, Billy Butterfield, Johnnie "Scat" Davis, Vaughn Monroe, Claude Thornhill, and Artie Shaw. Shaw also served as arranger and director for the group. After Shaw formed his own band later in the 1930s, Wylie acted as his manager. Wylie co-wrote the 1925 hit "Who Loved You Best?" Wylie died at Crile Veterans Hospital in Parma, Ohio, at the age of 54.