The big bands are back
in a new and exciting way
Larry Clinton. "Larry Clinton Through The Years,"
Montpellier (E) MONT CD 105. Nine lesser-heard
songs by Clinton and his Orchestra in the '30s and
'40s, which are welcome, but they have been added
to the 1960 Everest album of Clinton's big hits,
"My Million Sellers," which was already available on
CD. Therefore, a mixed bag for completists.
Sam Donahue. "The Mood We're In," Montpellier (E)
MONT CD 100. Donahue and his good band of the
late '50s, but collectors are alerted that some of it
has been on CD before - from the same label! (See
Montpellier MONT CD 021.)
Tommy Dorsey. "The Tommy Dorsey Show: Volume
One," Sounds of YesterYear (E) DSOY963. The
first of a projected four volumes of T.D. acting as a
d.j. in 1947-48, with excerpts from his daily radio
show spinning his records and those of other bands,
including Miller, Kaye, Duchin, Basie, McIntyre,
Pastor, Beneke, James, and Cugat, as well as
conducting interviews of music stars - such as
Charlie Barnet here. These programs have never
been released on CD (or LP, for that matter), so
this could be novel to hear.
Duke Ellington. "Duke Ellington and His Orchestra:
Recordings from 1927 to 1935," Crystal Stream
Audio (Aus) IDCD278/279. A two-disc set ranging
from the famous (It Don't Mean a Thing, Creole
Love Call, Solitude) to the forgotten (Nine Little
Miles From Ten-Ten-Tennessee, Ducky Wucky,
Slippery Horn).
Woody Herman. "Woody Herman And His Orchestra
Plays For Dancing: Live From The Holiday Inn
Chicago," Sounds of YesterYear (E) DSOY960.
A two-disc set recorded live, including Herman
favorites Woodchopper's Ball, Early Autumn, The
Good Earth, Caldonia, and Blue Flame, along with
other pop and swing favorites like Jazz Me Blues,
One O'Clock Jump, A Taste of Honey, and Tea for
Two Cha-Cha.
Stan Kenton. "Stan Kenton And His Orchestra:
Concerts In Miniature Volume II," Sounds of
YesterYear (E) DSOY962. The second part of a
series of Kenton's "Concerts in Miniature" radio
shows presented complete as they were originally
broadcast in June 1952 over NBC. Among the
instrumentals are Dynaflow, Love for Sale, Taboo,
and the Kenton theme, Artistry in Rhythm.
Glenn Miller. "Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces Bands:
Top Tunes Of 1944," Sounds of YesterYear (E)
DSOY964. Mostly Miller and his AAF ensemble
featuring Johnny Desmond, Ray McKinley, and The
Crew Chiefs, but also one selection by the Miller
AAF crew in 1945 directed by Jerry Gray and four
songs from Desmond's 1959 Columbia "Once Upon
a Time" album conducted by Norman Leyden. The
wonderful music includes Poinciana (Song of the
Tree), Holiday for Strings, G.I. Jive, and Long Ago
(And Far Away).
---. "The Miller Men Play On: Ray Eberle & his
Orchestra / Tex Beneke & his Orchestra," Montpellier
(E) MONT CD 097. All of the music is fine,
especially, in my opinion, Eberle singing Did I
Remember (originally from his Design album). The
Benekes are from Thesaurus. It's just that all of it has
been on CD and LP before.
Russ Morgan. "Russ Morgan and His Orchestra,
Volume Two: Does Your Heart Beat for Me,"
Crystal Stream Audio (Aus) IDCD280. Music
recorded in 1936-37, such as It's a Sin to Tell a Lie,
Empty Saddles, If My Heart Could Only Talk, and
Blue Hawaii. Because it avoids the familiar and
previously-issued, a good CD for fans of "music in
the Morgan manner."
MAY 2014
"BIG BAND NEWS"
compiled by Music Librarian
CHRISTOPHER POPA
NEW COMPACT DISCS BY
GREAT DANCE BANDS
While CD labels in the U.S. remain disappointingly silent for big bands, companies in England and Australia continue to keep fans supplied with some interesting titles, though certain ones I list only with a word or two of caution.
BIG BANDS IN-PERSON
Hal McIntyre Orchestra directed by Don Pentleton: May 4, Norwood Theater, Norwood,
MA; May 9, Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY; May 11, Center for the Performing Arts,
Natick, MA.
Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Nick Hilscher: May 3, Colden Center, Queens, NY;
May 4, Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ; May 5, Bohemia Manor
Middle High School, Chesapeake City, MD; May 6, Southampton High School,
Cortland, VA; May 8, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, NY; May 9, The Emelin
Theatre, Mamaroneck, NY; May 10, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA; May 11,
Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT; May 16-18, DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, MI;
May 20, Music Hall Ballroom, Cincinnati, OH; May 23, Harrington Racetrack & Casino,
Harrington, DE; May 24, Ocean City Convention Cente , Ocean City, MD; May 27,
private concert; May 29, private concert; May 30, Carolina Civic Center, Lumberton,
NC; May 31, private dance.
BERIGAN JUBILEE
The 2014 "Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee" will be held from the 16th through the 18th this month in Fox Lake, WI. Berigan, a supremely talented trumpeter and big band leader, was born in 1908 in Hilbert, Calumet County, WI, and the community still celebrates his memory. The entertainment line-up that weekend includes the so-called Bunny Berigan Memorial Band and the Kaye Berigan 5Tet. There will be also a service at Bunny Berigan's grave and a dedication of a memorial for one of his daughters, Joyce Berigan Hansen, at St. Mary's / Annunciation Cemetery on Breezy Point Road in Fox Lake. For additional information, view the website
bunnyberiganjazzjubilee.com.
IN-PRINT AND / OR ONLINE
Joe Carlton. "The Story of Three Trumpet Players," The Great Escape! / dixieswing.com,
May 1, 2014 (Issue No. 30), p.1. Brief thumbnails about Ziggy Elman, Jimmy Maxwell,
and Cootie Williams.
Charles A. "Chuck" Sengstock. "A Sweet Band Profile: The Jan Garber Band," The
Great Escape! / dixieswing.com, May 1, 2014 (Issue No. 30), p.6. Sengstock calls
Garber "one of the longest surviving and most popular dance bands in the history of
American dance music."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Van Alexander, b.May 2, 1915. Arranger with Webb '36-'38 and bandleader '39-'43 /
Capitol LPs '59-'62.
Buddy Catlett, b.May 13, 1933. Bassist with Basie '62-'64.
Lorry Peters, b.May 20, 1932. Vocalist with McKinley-Miller Orch '57-'59.
Gene DiNovi, b.May 26, 1928. Pianist with Shaw '49 (5/31 Columbia session);
Goodman '48 (9/9 Capitol session) / '59.
NECROLOGY
Bobby Gregg, 78, d.May 3, 2014. Drummer with Whiteman '53-'54.
Joe Wilder, 92, d.May 9, 2014. Trumpeter with Hampton '46?; Lunceford '47?; Basie '54?.
Jerry Vale, 83, d.May 18, 2014. Guest singer with James (I Don't Think You Love Me
Anymore at 10/5/53 Columbia session).
Herb Jeffries, 100, d.May 25, 2014, heart failure. Vocalist with Hines '34; Ellington '40-'42.
REMEMBERING YOU
Billy Byers, b.May 1, 1927. Trombonist with Auld '49; Goodman '49 (3/31 Capitol session);
Ventura '50. Arranger for Basie '64-'65.
Henderson Chambers, b.May 1, 1908. Trombonist with Armstrong '41-'43; Redman
'43 (V-Discs) / '46; Oliver '47-'52; Millinder '50-'53? / '55; Basie '53 / '64-'66;
Ellington '57 (Blue Note 6/12 broadcast); Calloway '58 (Gone album).
Bing Crosby, b.May 2, 1904. Vocalist with Whiteman '26-'30; recorded with Dorsey Bros
'29 / '32 / '33 / '35; Ellington ' 30 / '32; J Dorsey '31 / '36 / '37 / '46; Redman 32; Bob
Crosby '38 / '40 / '42; Venuti '39 / Herman '41 / '42; Teagarden '41; Jordan '44;
Hampton '46; Nichols '51; Armstrong '51 / '56 / '60.
Yank Lawson, b.May 3, 1911. Trumpeter with Pollack '33-'34; Crosby '35-'38 / '41-'42 /
'50 / '58 / '64 / '66 / '85; T Dorsey '38-'39; Goodman '43 / '85; Byrne '53; Armstrong
'57.
Maynard Ferguson, b.May 4, 1928. Trumpeter with J Dorsey '49; Barnet '49. Leader of
own band.
Mary Ann McCall, b.May 4, 1919. Vocalist with Herman '39 / '46 / '47-'49 / '76; Barnet
'39-'40; Shaw '50 (1/6 Gramercy Five Decca session); Ventura '54-'55?.
Sonny Payne, b.May 4, 1926. Drummer with E Hawkins '50-'53; Basie '55-'62 /
'62-'64 / '73-'74; James '67-'73?; Jacquet '76.
Moe Purtill, b.May 4, 1916. Drummer with Norvo '36-'37; T Dorsey '38; Miller '39-'42.
Paul Barbarin, b.May 5, 1901. Drummer with Armstrong '35-'38.
Frankie Carlson, b.May 5, 1914. Drummer and / or tympany with Herman '36-'43;
Miller '39; Nichols '44; Auld '52; Kenton '63 / '6 / '65 / '66.
Paul Quinichette, b.May 7, 1921. Tenor saxophonist with McShann '43-'44; Millinder
'48?-'49; Basie '51-'53; Goodman '55.
Herbie Steward, b.May 7, 1926. Saxophonist with Shaw '44-'45 / '49-'50; Rey '46;
Herman '47 / E Lawrence '50 (Decca "Prom Night" LP) / '57 (Four Brothers:
"Together Again" Vik LP); James '51-'54.
Red Nichols, b.May 8, 1905. Leader of own band.
Mary Lou Williams, b.May 8, 1910. Pianist / composer / arranger for Kirk '29-'42?;
Goodman '37 (Roll 'Em) / '48 (Mary's Idea) / '78; Ellington '46 (Blue Skies).
Bob Zurke, b.May 9, 1910. Pianist with Crosby '36-'39. Leader of own band.
Al Hendrickson, b.May 10, 1920. Guitarist with Shaw '40-'41; Slack '41 / '44 / '46 / '55
(EmArcy album); Goodman '47; Herman '47 / '51 / '55 / '57; May '53-'58?.
Pee Wee Hunt, b.May 10, 1907. Trombonist / vocalist with G Gray '29-'43.
Mel Lewis, b.May 10, 1929. Drummer for Anthony '49-'50 / '53 / '54; Beneke '50-'53;
Kenton '54-'57?.
J.C. Higginbotham, b.May 11, 1906. Trombonist with F Henderson '31-'33? / '37;
Carter '33; Millinder (Mills Blue Rhythm Band) '34-'36?; Armstrong '37-'40; Shaw '41
(6/26 Victor session).
Jack Jenney, b.May 12, 1910. Trombonist with Norvo '34-'35; Miller '35 (4/25 Columbia
session); Shaw '40-'41 / '41-'42?; Goodman '43. Leader of own band.
Bobby Plater, b.May 13, 1914. Saxophonist for Hampton '45-'51?; Basie '64-'82.
Skip Martin, b.May 14, 1916. Saxophonist or composer / arranger for Barnet '39-'40;
Goodman '41; Basie '41; Miller '41-'42; Brown '45? / '49.
Al Porcino, b.May 15, 1925. Trumpeter with Prima '44; Auld '45-'46; Herman '46 / '49 / '54;
Krupa '46; Kenton '50 / '55; Basie '51 / '62 (Sinatra / Basie Reprise album); Barnet
'52; J Gray '56-'57.
Zutty Singleton, b.May 14, 1898. Drummer with Armstrong '28; Eldridge '36?-'37;
Hampton '39 (12/24 Victor session); Waller '43; Teagarden '43 (11/16).
Dud Bascomb, b.May 16, 1916. Trumpeter with E Hawkins '36-'43; Ellington '47.
Eddie Bert, b.May 16, 1922. Trombonist with Norvo '41?-'42; Herman '43 / '50 (5/5
Capitol session); Kenton '47; Raeburn '48 / '56; Les Elgart '53-'54; E Lawrence
'54-'58?; Goodman '58 / '85?.
Woody Herman, b.May 16, 1913. Clarinetist with I Jones '34?-'36. Leader of own band.
Joe Roland, b.May 17, 1920. Vibraphonist with Shaw '53-'54.
Kai Winding b.May 18, 1922. Trombonist with Goodman '45-'46; Kenton '46-'47;
Ventura '47-'48?; Herman '53; McKinley '54 (Decca); Hampton '79.
Georgie Auld, b.May 19, 1919. Saxophonist with Berigan '37-'38; Shaw '38-'39 /
'41-'42; Savitt '40; Goodman '40-'41; Barnet '54 (6/27 Clef session). Leader of
own band.
Fats Waller, b.May 22, 1904. Pianist / vocalist with own band.
Roger Segure, b.May 22, 1905. Composer / arranger for Lunceford '40-'44; Shaw
'49?-'50.
Artie Shaw, b.May 23, 1910. Leader of own band.
Milt Bernhart, b.May 25, , 1926. Trombonist with Raeburn '47; Kenton '47?-'51 / '55 /
'56 ("Kenton in Hi-Fi" album); Goodman '48-'49; Ferguson '50 / '52 / '54.
Edgar Hayes, b.May 25, 1904. Pianist / arranger with Millinder (Mills Blue Rhythm Band)
'31-'36. Leader of own band.
Ziggy Elman, b.May 26, 1914. Trumpeter with Goodman '36-'40; T Dorsey '40-'42? /
'46. Leader of own band.
Peggy Lee, b.May 26, 1922. Vocalist with Goodman '41-'43 / '59 ("Swing Into Spring"
TV show).
Bud Shank, b.May 27, 1926. Saxophonist with Barnet '48; Kenton '50-'51.
Dave Barbour, b.May 28, 1912. Guitarist with Norvo '36; Armstrong '38 (6/24 Decca
session); Shaw '39; Auld '40 (2/40 Varsity session); Goodman '42-'43; Teagarden '43
(11/16); Barnet '45.
Andy Kirk, b.May 28, 1898. Leader of own band.
Dick Hafer, b.May 29, 1927. Saxophonist with Barnet '49 / '58; Thornhill '50? (incl
RCA Victor "Gershwin" album); Herman '51-'55; Beneke '55; Hackett '57-'58;
Goodman '58 / '62.
Benny Goodman, b.May 30, 1909. Clarinetist with Pollack '25-'28; Nichols '29 /
'30-'31. Leader of own band.
Dave McKenna, b.May 30, 1930. Pianist with Herman ' 50-'51.
Bobby Sherwood, b.May 30, 1914. Guitarist / arranger with Shaw '40. Leader of own
band.
Gene Gifford, b.May 31, 1908. Composer / arranger for G Gray '29-'39?.
Otto (Toby) Hardwick, b.May 31, 1904. Alto saxophonist with Ellington '26-'28 / '32-'46.
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