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Whiteman was named for Wilberforce Whiteman, Supervisor of the Department of Music of the Denver Public Schools from 1888 to 1924.  Wilberforce was a well known figure in the Denver community.  He was the choirmaster of St. John's Episcopal Church where he introduced many young singers as soloists.  He also had a string ensemble which performed around Denver.

Wilberforce was an amazing teacher of music.  There are many famous musicians who were his students, including Jazz greats Andy Kirk and Jimmy Lunceford.  However, his most famous student is his son, Paul Whiteman, who changed the world of music and became known as the “King of Jazz”.

Paul Whiteman introduced George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and was the first to use famous vocalist Bing Crosby.

Whiteman's orchestra was the first to:
     Popularize arrangements.
     Use full reed and brass sections.
     Big Band to play in vaudeville.
     Big Band to travel to Europe.
     Big Band to feature a girl singer, - Mildred Bailey. (Al Rinkers sister.)
     Big Band to feature a vocal trio, the Rhythm Boys (Al Rinker, Harry Barris, Bing Crosby.)