LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Bandleader and clarinetist Artie Shaw, famed for his recording of "Begin the Beguine" and one of the giants of the swing era of jazz, died on Thursday at age 94, his manager Will Curtis said.

A self-declared perfectionist, Shaw put down the clarinet in 1954 and never played it again, saying he could not reach the level of artistry he desired.

He had been ill for several years, Curtis said.

Artie Shaw Biography (http://www.artieshaw.com/bio.html)

My dad played drums for Artie Shaw as a union hall musician when Artie played the ballroom at Crystal Beach. It's always a great loss when one of the "Greats" dies.

Dave

WoW! I had heard a lot of his music and really liked it - I do like big band and - Well, I like a lot of different music. But it wasn't until I read his obituary that I really knew anything about him personally. I had no idea he 'retired' so early in his life. An unusual personality.