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Swing & Beyond

Where Swing is King!

Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 6, 2018 11 COMMENTS

Little Jazz – Trumpet titan Roy Eldridge – “Rockin’ Chair” (1941) with Gene Krupa; “Scuttlebutt” (1945) with Artie Shaw

The story: In the mid and late 1970s, I was fortunate enough to make several trips to New York City with the specific purpose of trying to hear as much music and see as many [..]

Sleepers
Mike Zirpolo December 31, 2017 2 COMMENTS

“Blue Reverie” (1937-38) Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert

“Blue Reverie” Composed by Duke Ellington and Harry Carney; arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters for Variety on March 8-9, 1937 in New York. Edward K. “Duke” Ellington, piano, [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women)
Mike Zirpolo December 27, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Rhythm Saved the World” (1936) Tommy Dorsey’s Clambake Seven with Edythe Wright and Dave Tough

Tenor saxophone great Bud Freeman solos with Tommy Dorsey’s band – 1937. Others pictured L-R: Bassist Gene Traxler; lead trumpeter Andy Ferretti; partially visible, trumpeter Joe Bauer; saxophonists Skeets Herfurt and Johnny Mince; TD. The [..]

Far Out! Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 1, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Portrait of a Guinea Farm” (1941) Claude Thornhill

“Portrait of a Guinea Farm” Composed and arranged by Claude Thornhill. Recorded by Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra for Okeh/Columbia in New York on April 16, 1941. Claude Thornhill, piano, directing: Conrad Gozzo, first trumpet; [..]

Swing 101 Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo November 22, 2017 6 COMMENTS

“Tuxedo Junction” Erskine Hawkins (1939) and Glenn Miller (1940)

“Tuxedo Junction” Composed by Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson and Julian Dash; head arrangement organized by William Johnson. Recorded by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra for RCA-Bluebird on July 18, 1939 in New York. Erskine Hawkins, [..]

Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 17, 2017 1 COMMENTS

“U.M.M.G” (1960) Music of Billy Strayhorn – Dizzy Gillespie with Clare Fischer

“U.M.M.G” Composed by Billy Strayhorn; arranged by Clare Fischer. Recorded by Dizzy Gillespie on April 27-28, 1960 for Verve in New York City. John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, trumpet, directing: Ray Alonge, Richard Berg, Joe Singer, [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo November 10, 2017 0 COMMENTS

In Finegan’s Wake: a Salute to Master Arranger Bill Finegan – Part 1.

The story: This post is not about James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. Rather, it is a look back at the musical heritage that master swing era (and later) arranger Bill Finegan has left us. William James Finegan [..]

Sleepers
Mike Zirpolo November 4, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Une Lettre de Jean” (1997) The Morpheus Trio

“Une Letter de Jean” Composed by Jean-Paul Monsche’ Recorded by the Morpheus Trio for Lucid in 1997 in Los Angeles. The Morpheus Trio: Jean-Paul Monsche’, piano; Stephen Heidtmann, bass; Willie McNeil, drums. The Story: This [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo October 21, 2017 12 COMMENTS

“Star Dust” (1940) Artie Shaw, with Billy Butterfield and Jack Jenney

The story: It is always challenging to write objectively and accurately about Artie Shaw’s music and personality. On the one hand, much of the music Shaw made during the swing era was wonderful, indeed great. [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo October 14, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Tenderly” (1953) Art Tatum

“Tenderly” Composed by Walter Gross. Recorded on December 28-29, 1953 by Art Tatum for Clef in Los Angeles. Art Tatum, solo piano. The story: How does one begin to discuss the piano artistry of Art Tatum? Adjectives [..]

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo October 7, 2017 3 COMMENTS

Swing and swing redux: “Pompton Turnpike” (1940) Charlie Barnet, and Billy Maxted (1967)

“Pompton Turnpike” Composed by Will Osborne and Dick Rogers; arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra for Bluebird on July 19, 1940 in New York. Charlie Barnet, soprano saxophone, directing: Sam [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo September 28, 2017 3 COMMENTS

Buddy Rich at 100: with Tommy Dorsey –“Quiet Please” and “Deep River”

This is the third and final part of swingandbeyond’s centenary tribute to drum legend Buddy Rich, who was born on September 30, 1917. The story: Buddy Rich reached the acme of his career as a [..]

Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 23, 2017 0 COMMENTS

The Smell of Money: George Shearing and Nat “King” Cole

“It Never Entered My Mind” Composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Recorded by George Shearing for Concord Jazz in San Francisco, California in May of 1985. George Shearing, solo piano. The story: Two of [..]

Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 16, 2017 0 COMMENTS

The Mancini Touch: “Robbins’ Nest” (1959) with Ronny Lang

“Robbins’ Nest” Composed by Illinois Jacquet and Sir Charles Thompson; arranged by Henry Mancini. Recorded by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra for RCA Victor on August 11, 1959 in Hollywood, California. Henry Mancini, directing: Dick [..]

Swing 101 Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo September 9, 2017 0 COMMENTS

The Birth of the Swing Era – Part 1 “I Got Rhythm” (1935) Benny Goodman

“I Got Rhythm” Composed by George Gershwin; arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra live from the NBC “Let’s Dance” radio show of May 4, 1935. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: George [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo September 4, 2017 2 COMMENTS

Buddy Rich at 100: 1939 with Artie Shaw – “Traffic Jam,” “Shoot the Rhythm to Me, John Boy” and “Carioca”

Very recently, swingandbeyond.com has hosted its 10,000th viewer! That is very good news for me and for everyone who likes this thing called swing. This blog has been up and running since March of 2016. [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo September 1, 2017 2 COMMENTS

Reads and re-reads: “Glenn Miller Declassified”—“Jeep Jockey Jump” (1944) Glenn Miller Army Air Force band

Michael P. Zirpolo’s Review of “Glenn Miller Declassified” by Dennis M. Spragg. The definitive story of how swing era bandleader Glenn Miller was lost on a flight from England to France on December 15, 1944 [..]

Swing 101
Mike Zirpolo August 26, 2017 3 COMMENTS

Baby Bird–“Swingmatism” (1941) Charlie Parker with Jay McShann

“Swingmatism” Composed by Jay McShann; probable “head” arrangement. Recorded by Jay McShann and His Orchestra for Decca on April 30, 1941 in Dallas,Texas.(*) Jay McShann, piano, directing: Harold Bruce,Orville Minor and Bernard Anderson, trumpets; Joe [..]

Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 23, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Happy-Go-Lucky Local” (1975) Mercer Ellington with Lloyd Mayers and Ricky Ford

“Happy-Go-Lucky Local” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington, with probable revisions in Duke’s original arrangement by Mercer Ellington. Recorded by Mercer Ellington with The Duke Ellington Orchestra for Fantasy on May 12, 1975 in New [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo August 15, 2017 1 COMMENTS

Buddy Rich at 100: “Moten Swing” (1938) Bunny Berigan

“Moten Swing” Composed by Bennie and Buster Moten; arranged by Ray Conniff. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra live from a broadcast over WABC-New York from Roseland Ballroom in New York City in October [..]

Sleepers
Mike Zirpolo August 12, 2017 0 COMMENTS

Reads and re-reads: “Straight Ahead..The Story of Stan Kenton” by Carol Easton/”Wagon” (1960)

“Wagon” Composed and arranged by Johnny Richards. Recorded by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra for Capitol on September 26, 1960 in Los Angeles. Stan Kenton, piano, directing: John Audino, Bud Brisbois, Dalton Smith, Sam Noto, [..]

Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 27, 2017 0 COMMENTS

Young (and not so) Old Blue Eyes – Frank Sinatra – with Tommy Dorsey (1941) and Nelson Riddle (1966)

“Everything Happens to Me” Composed by Matt Dennis and Tom Adair; arranged by Axel Stordahl. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Victor on February 7, 1941 in New York. Thomas Francis Dorsey, Jr., [..]

Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo July 21, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“With a Little Help from My Friends” (1969) Count Basie

“With a Little Help From My Friends” Composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; arranged by Bob Florence. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra on December 15, 1969 for Happy Tiger Records in New [..]

Masterpieces Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo July 9, 2017 1 COMMENTS

“Sing, Sing, Sing” (1937) Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa, Vido Musso and Harry James

  “Sing, Sing, Sing” Composed by Louis Prima; initial vocal arrangement by Jimmy Mundy. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra on July 6, 1937 for Victor in Hollywood, CA. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Harry [..]

Swing 101
Mike Zirpolo July 1, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Happy as the Day Is Long” (1934) Fletcher Henderson

“Happy as the Day is Long” Composed by Harold Arlen; arranged by Benny Carter. Recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra for Decca on September 11, 1934. Fletcher Henderson directing: Russell Smith, first trumpet; Irving [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo June 24, 2017 1 COMMENTS

“Reflections in D” (1953) Duke Ellington; and (1978) Bill Evans

“Reflections in D” Composed by Duke Ellington Recorded by Duke Ellington for Capitol on April 13,1953 in Los Angeles. Duke Ellington, piano; Wendell Marshall, bass. The story and the music:  “When an art form is created, [..]

Swing 101 Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo June 17, 2017 2 COMMENTS

“Smoke Rings” (1937) and (1932) Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra

“Smoke Rings” Composed and arranged by H. Eugene Gifford. Recorded by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra for Decca on July 23, 1937 in New York. Glen Gray, saxophone and B-flat clarinet, directing: Walter [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo June 7, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Naked City” Music of Raymond Scott – Part One

“Naked City” Composed and arranged by Raymond Scott in 1953. Transcribed by Menno Daams. Recorded by The Metropole Orchestra, conducted by Jan Stulen, on June 18-22, 2001 in Hilversum, Netherlands. Jan Stulen, directing:Jan Oosthof, Jan [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo June 1, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Jubilee” (1938) Louis Armstrong

“Jubilee” Composed by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Stanley Adams (words). Arranged by Chappie Willet. Recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra for Decca on January 12, 1938 in Los Angeles. Louis Armstrong, trumpet and vocal, [..]

Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo May 27, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Big Noise From Winnetka” (1938) Bob Haggart-Ray Bauduc

“Big Noise From Winnetka” Composed by Bob Haggart and Ray Bauduc Recorded by Bob Haggart and Ray Bauduc for Decca on October 14, 1938 in Chicago. Bob Haggart, bass and whistling; Ray Bauduc, drums. The [..]

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Leap Frog Louis Armstrong and Joe Garland (1941)/Les Brown with Ted Nash (1945)

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Misty (1959) Henry Mancini with Dick Nash, Bob Bain and John Williams.

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Sorghum Switch (1942) Jimmy Dorsey with Allan Reuss, Babe Russin and Nate Kazebier.

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  • “Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet” (1975) Roland Shaw
  • “Takin’ My Time” (1940) Benny Carter with Sidney De Paris
  • “Leap Frog” Louis Armstrong and Joe Garland (1941)/Les Brown with Ted Nash (1945)
  • “Misty” (1959) Henry Mancini with Dick Nash, Bob Bain and John Williams.
  • “Sorghum Switch” (1942) Jimmy Dorsey with Allan Reuss, Babe Russin and Nate Kazebier.
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