October 2016 – Swing & Beyond

“Summer Sequence Part 4” (1947) and “Early Autumn” (1948) Woody Herman

October 28, 2016

“Summer Sequence Part 4” Composed and Arranged by Ralph Burns. Recorded by Woody Herman and His Orchestra for Columbia on December 27, 1947 in Hollywood, California. Woody Herman, alto saxophone, directing: Bernie Glow,Stan Fishelson, Marky Markowitz,Ernie Royal and Shorty Rogers, trumpets; Ollie Wilson, Earl Swope and Bob Swift, trombones; Sam Marowitz, alto saxophone; Herbie Steward, […]

“Spinnin’ the Webb” (1938) Chick Webb

October 24, 2016

“Spinnin’ the Webb” Composed by Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald. Arranged by Wayman Carver. Recorded by Chick Webb and His Orchestra on May 3, 1938 for Decca in New York City. Chick Webb, drums, directing: Mario Bauza, first trumpet; Bobby Stark and Taft Jordan, trumpets; George Matthews, Nat Story and Sandy Williams, trombones; Garvin […]

A Miller Memory… or How would you ever have anything signed by such a great bandleader?

October 20, 2016

Recently, I was fortunate enough to listen to a concert of big band music here in my home town of Canton, Ohio with a gentleman whom I have known for many years. He is 91 years young, and very vital, with a sharp mind. Before the concert began, we exchanged pleasantries, and then after the […]

“Dream of You” (1934) Jimmie Lunceford

“Dream of You” Composer, lyricist and arranger, Sy Oliver. Recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra for Decca on October 29, 1934. Jimmie Lunceford, directing: Eddie Tompkins, Sy Oliver and Tommy Stevenson, trumpets; Henry Wells and Russell Bowles, trombones; Willie Smith, La Forest Dent, Joe Thomas and Earl Caruthers, saxophones; Eddie Wilcox, piano; Al Norris, […]

Gershwin’s Piano Prelude 2, played by Buddy Morrow (1964)

October 18, 2016

More Music by Gershwin I continue my tribute to the music of George Gershwin by presenting a superb 1964 performance of his Piano Prelude 2 in a magnificent arrangement by John Woehrmann, for trombone virtuoso Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra. Gershwin originally planned to compose 24 piano preludes, but for various reasons ended up with only […]

Reads and Re- Reads: The Protean Mr. Gershwin–“Summertime” (1945) Artie Shaw

October 11, 2016

The older I get, and the more music I listen to, the more I marvel at the staggering musical achievements of George Gershwin (1898-1937) in his short life. He wrote music for Broadway shows, for Hollywood films; he wrote long-form concert music like “An American in Paris,” the “Cuban Overture,” and of course “Rhapsody in […]

“I Can’t Get Started” (1937) Bunny Berigan

October 5, 2016

Music composed by Vernon Duke, lyric by Ira Gershwin. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Victor on August 7, 1937 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: Steve Lipkins, first trumpet, Irving Goodman, trumpet; Thomas “Sonny” Lee, first trombone; Al George, trombone; Robert “Mike” Doty, first alto saxophone; Joe Dixon, alto saxophone; Clyde […]