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Where Swing is King!

Category: Masterpieces

Masterpieces Movie music Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo October 21, 2020 0 COMMENTS

“Cheek to Cheek” (1953) Tommy Dorsey/Bill Finegan

“Cheek to Cheek” Composed by Irving Berlin; arranged by Bill Finegan. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Decca on August 14, 1953 in Hollywood, California. Tommy Dorsey, first trombone, directing: Paul Cohen, first [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Swing 101 Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 18, 2020 0 COMMENTS

“The Lonesome Road” (1939) Jimmie Lunceford/Sy Oliver

“The Lonesome Road” Composed by Gene Austin (words) and Nat Shilkret (music); arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra for Vocalion(*) on January 31, 1939 in New York. Jimmie Lunceford, directing: [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 6, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“Breakfast Feud” (1941) Charlie Christian with Benny Goodman

  “Breakfast Feud” Composed by Benny Goodman; head arrangement worked out by Benny Goodman and the members of his Sextet. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Sextet(*) for Columbia on January 15, 1941(**) in New [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 16, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“Yesterdays” (1938) Artie Shaw

“Yesterdays” Composed by Jerome Kern; arranged by Jerry Gray. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for RCA/Bluebird on September 27, 1938 in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: John Best, first trumpet; Chuck Peterson [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo October 25, 2019 3 COMMENTS

“Concerto for Cootie” (1940) Duke Ellington and Cootie Williams

“Concerto for Cootie” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on March 15,1940 in Chicago. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace Jones, first trumpet; Rex Stewart, cornet; Cootie [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo October 5, 2019 3 COMMENTS

“Benny Rides Again” (1940) Benny Goodman and Eddie Sauter

Masterpieces Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo June 13, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“I Surrender, Dear” (1937) and (1939) Artie Shaw

“I Surrender, Dear” Music by Harry Barris; arrangement by Jerry Gray and Artie Shaw. Recorded on August 27, 1939 by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra for RCA/Bluebird in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Bernie [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101
Mike Zirpolo June 7, 2019 8 COMMENTS

“Well, Git It!” (1942) Tommy Dorsey with Ziggy Elman and Chuck Peterson

“Well, Git It” Composed and arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Victor on March 9, 1942 in Hollywood, California. Tommy Dorsey, trombone, directing: Ziggy Elman, Chuck Peterson, Jimmy Blake, [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo May 3, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“Arab Dance” (1946) and “La Paloma” (1947) Claude Thornhill and Gil Evans

“Arab Dance” Composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky; arranged by Gil Evans. Recorded by Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra for Columbia on July 17, 1946 in New York. Claude Thornhill, piano, directing: Louis Mucci, first trumpet; [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 5, 2019 1 COMMENTS

“Something to Live For” (1965) Ella Fitzgerald with Duke Ellington; (1939) Duke Ellington; (1975) Tommy Flanagan

“Something to Live For” Composed and arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald with Duke Ellington and His Orchestra on December 20, 1965 in Hollywood, California. Ella Fitzgerald, vocal; with Duke Ellington, directing: William [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo February 16, 2019 3 COMMENTS

“Bijou” (1945) Woody Herman with Bill Harris and Dave Tough; and (1959) Henry Mancini

  “Bijou” Composed and arranged by Ralph Burns. Recorded by Woody Herman and His Orchestra on August 20, 1945 in New York. Woody Herman, alto saxophone, directing: Walter “Pete” Candoli, first trumpet; Sonny Berman, Neal [..]

Masterpieces Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo November 17, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“Swanee River” (1935) Jimmie Lunceford and Sy Oliver, and (1940) Tommy Dorsey and Sy Oliver

“Swanee River” Composed by Stephen Foster; arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra for Decca on September 23, 1935 in New York. Jimmie Lunceford, directing: Eddie Tompkins, Paul Webster and Sy [..]

Masterpieces Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo June 2, 2018 0 COMMENTS

“Parker’s Mood” (1948) Charlie Parker; and Supersax with Conte Candoli (1972)

“Parker’s Mood” Composed by Charlie Parker; arranged by Buddy Clark. Recorded by Supersax for Capitol Records in Los Angeles in February 1972. Supersax on this recording consisted of the following musicians: Med Flory and Joe [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo April 29, 2018 1 COMMENTS

“Strange Fruit” (1939) Billie Holiday

“Strange Fruit” Composed by “Lewis Allan” (Abel Meeropol); informally arranged by Danny Mendelsohn. Piano prologue suggested by Milt Gabler. Recorded by Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra for Commodore Records on April 20, 1939 in New [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo April 11, 2018 5 COMMENTS

“Harlem Air Shaft” (1940) Duke Ellington – live version

With this post, swingandbeyond.com celebrates two milestones: our 100th post, and our 30,000th viewer. I am delighted that so many people are interested in this thing called swing. I have quite a few new ideas [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101
Mike Zirpolo February 2, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Cotton Tail” (1940) Duke Ellington and Ben Webster

Very recently, swingandbeyond.com has hosted its 20,000th 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. [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo October 21, 2017 12 COMMENTS

“Star Dust” (1940) Artie Shaw

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 [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo July 9, 2017 1 COMMENTS

“Sing, Sing, Sing” (1937) Benny Goodman

  “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 [..]

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, [..]

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, [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo March 18, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Sepia Panorama” (1940) Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn

“Sepia Panorama” Composed by Duke Ellington; arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra on July 24, 1940 in New York. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Charles M. “Cootie” Williams, [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo February 17, 2017 0 COMMENTS

“Lady, Be Good” (1936) Lester Young and Count Basie

The Story: Lester Willis Young, one of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz, was born on August 27, 1909, in Woodville, Mississippi. After a lengthy apprenticeship spent in numerous black territory bands [..]

Masterpieces Seasons and Such
Mike Zirpolo December 26, 2016 0 COMMENTS

“Snowfall” (1941) Claude Thornhill

“Snowfall” Composed and arranged by Claude Thornhill. Recorded for Columbia by Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra on May 21, 1941 in New York. Claude Thornhill, piano, directing: Conrad Gozzo, first trumpet; Lyle F. “Rusty” Dedrick, [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo December 6, 2016 3 COMMENTS

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (1946) Les Brown

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” Composed by Irving Berlin; arranged by Skip Martin. Recorded by Les Brown and His Orchestra for Columbia on September 16, 1946 in Hollywood. Les Brown, directing: Don Paladino, [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo November 1, 2016 0 COMMENTS

“Body and Soul” (1939) Coleman Hawkins

“Body and Soul” Composed by Johnny Green; “Head” arrangement. Recorded by Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra for RCA Bluebird on October 11, 1939. Coleman Hawkins, tenor saxophone, directing: Tommy Lindsey and Joe Guy, trumpets; Earl [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo October 20, 2016 1 COMMENTS

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

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 [..]

Masterpieces Seasons and Such Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo October 11, 2016 3 COMMENTS

Repost Number One: “Summertime” (1945) Artie Shaw/Eddie Sauter

*************** I am taking this opportunity to celebrate the 150,000th visit to swingandbeyond.com. I am selecting one of my previous posts, which I have spruced-up a bit, to celebrate with. The music I included in [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo October 5, 2016 2 COMMENTS

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

“I Can’t Get Started” 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, [..]

Masterpieces
Mike Zirpolo September 12, 2016 0 COMMENTS

“King Porter Stomp” (1935) Benny Goodman with Bunny Berigan

Composed by Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton, arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded on July 1, 1935 by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Victor Records in New York. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Roland B.”Bunny” Berigan, first [..]

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Featured Posts

Clementine (1941) Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with Johnny Hodges and Rex Stewart

"Clementine" Composed and arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on July 2, 1941 in Hollywood. Duke ...

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Mahogany Hall Stomp (1929 and 1936) Louis Armstrong; Bunny Berigan (1937); Swing Era Orchestra featuring John Best (1971)

"Mahogany Hall Stomp" Composed by Spencer Williams. Recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra for Okeh on March 5, 1929 in New ...

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And the Angels Sing (1939) Benny Goodman with Martha Tilton and Ziggy Elman/Fralich in Swing (1938) Ziggy Elman

"And the Angels Sing" Composed by Ziggy Elman (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyric); arranged by Abe Osser. Recorded by Benny Goodman and ...

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Happy Days Are Here Again (1962) Barbra Streisand

"Happy Days Are Here Again" Composed by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellin (lyric); arranged by George "The Fox" Williams. Recorded by ...

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Nina Never Knew (1952) Sauter-Finegan Orchestra with Joe Mooney; and (1968) Frankie Carle with Georgie Auld and Dick Nash

  "Nina Never Knew" Composed by Louis Alter (music) and Milton Drake (lyric); arranged by Bill Finegan. Recorded by the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra for ...

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Archives

Recent Posts

  • “Clementine” (1941) Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with Johnny Hodges and Rex Stewart
  • “Mahogany Hall Stomp” (1929 and 1936) Louis Armstrong; Bunny Berigan (1937); Swing Era Orchestra featuring John Best (1971)
  • “And the Angels Sing” (1939) Benny Goodman with Martha Tilton and Ziggy Elman/”Fralich in Swing” (1938) Ziggy Elman
  • “Happy Days Are Here Again” (1962) Barbra Streisand
  • “Nina Never Knew” (1952) Sauter-Finegan Orchestra with Joe Mooney; and (1968) Frankie Carle with Georgie Auld and Dick Nash
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