Mort Herbert

Life

Herbert was born Mort Pelovitz on June 30, 1925 in Somerville, New Jersey. Mort is best-remembered for his stint as a member of Louis Armstrong's All-stars. Herbert was self-taught on bass, Mort spent time in the military from 1943 to 1946. After his discharge he attended Rutgers University (1949-1952). Mort later began his professional career. He worked with Marian McPartland, Don Elliott, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra band, and Sol Yaged from 1955 to 1958, and other swing and mainstream players, often appearing at the Metropole. Herbert toured the world with Armstrong during 1958 to 1961, appearing on a number of records and film sound tracks and mostly functioning as a supporting player. His contributions are thoroughly docmented in All of Me: The Complete Discography of Louis Armstrong. After leaving Armstrong and his All–Stars, Mort mostly worked as a lawyer, just playing music on a part-time basis (including with Herb Ellis). He led an album, Night People, for Savoy in 1956.

In 1959 Herbert, a Jew, apparently had difficulty obtaining a visa for Lebanon, to tour there with Armstrong. Joe Glaser, Armstrong's agent denied the story.

In 1979 Herbert defended Lionel Ray Williams for the murder of Sal Mineo. Williams was found guilty and sentenced to 57 years.

Death

Herbert died on June 5, 1983 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 57 from a heart attack.

Discography