A fine swing clarinetist, an altoist whose sound was influenced by Johnny Hodges, a good soprano saxophonist and a spirited blues vocalist, Woody Herman's greatest significance to jazz was as the leader of a long line of big bands. He always encouraged young talent and more than practically any bandleader from the swing era, kept his repertoire quite modern. Although Herman was always stuck performing a few of his older hits (he played "Four Brothers" and "Early Autumn" nightly for nearly 40 years), he much preferred to play and create new music.
-- — Scott Yanow, ALL-MUSIC GUIDE