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Category: Masterpieces

Masterpieces Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 27, 2023 1 COMMENTS

“Flamingo” (1940) Duke Ellington, Herb Jeffries, Billy Strayhorn / (1953) Duke Ellington, Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, Billy Strayhorn

“Flamingo” Composed by Ted Grouya (music) and Edmund Anderson (lyric); arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on December 28, 1940 in Chicago. Duke Ellington, piano, and Billy Strayhorn, [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 19, 2022 5 COMMENTS

“Dancing in the Dark” (1941) Artie Shaw/Lennie Hayton

“Dancing in the Dark” Composed by Arthur Schwartz; arranged by Lennie Hayton. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for Victor on January 21, 1941 in Hollywood. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Billy Butterfield, first trumpet [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101
Mike Zirpolo October 7, 2022 6 COMMENTS

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (1940) Duke Ellington with Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams and Lawrence Brown

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”* (First known as “Never No Lament”) Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on May 4, 1940 in Hollywood. Duke Ellington, piano, [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 12, 2022 1 COMMENTS

“You Go to My Head” (1956) Conrad Gozzo

“You Go to My Head” Music composed by J. Fred Coots; probably arranged by Earle Hagen or Herbert Spencer. The story: The ultimate sideman in the Hollywood recording, movie and television studios through the 1950s [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo June 17, 2022 4 COMMENTS

“Down South Camp Meeting” Fletcher Henderson (1934)/Benny Goodman (1936)/Billy May and the Swing Era Orchestra (1970)

“Down South Camp Meeting” Composed and arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra for Decca on September 11, 1934. Fletcher Henderson directing: Russell “Pops” Smith, first trumpet; Irving “Mouse” Randolph and [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux
Mike Zirpolo February 11, 2022 1 COMMENTS

“Walkin’ and Swingin'” (1936) Andy Kirk and Mary Lou Williams/ (1970) Billy May

“Walkin’ and Swingin’” Composed and arranged by Mary Lou Williams. Recorded by Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy for Decca on March 2, 1936 in New York. Andy Kirk, directing: Harry “Big Jim” [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 5, 2022 2 COMMENTS

“S’Posin'” (1954) Artie Shaw Gramercy Five

“S’Posin’” Composed by Paul Denniker; head arrangement by Artie Shaw Gramercy Five. Privately recorded by Artie Shaw Gramercy Five in June of 1954 in Hollywood. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Hank Jones, piano; Joe Puma, guitar; [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 2, 2022 1 COMMENTS

“What Am I Here For?” (1942) Duke Ellington with Joseph Nanton, Rex Stewart and Ben Webster

“What Am I Here For?” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on February 26,1942 in New York. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace Jones, first trumpet; Ray [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo October 2, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“Blood Count” (1967) Duke Ellington; composition/arrangement by Billy Strayhorn – alto saxophone solo by Johnny Hodges

“Blood Count” Composed and arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for RCA Victor on August 28, 1967 in New York. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Herbie Jones, William “Cat” Anderson, Mercer [..]

Masterpieces Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 10, 2021 2 COMMENTS

“Night and Day” (1940) Charlie Barnet with Bernie Privin and Bill Miller/(1942) Frank Sinatra/(1956) Ella Fitzgerald

“Night and Day” Composed by Cole Porter; informal head arrangement by Charlie Barnet and his band. Recorded by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra for RCA Bluebird on September 17,1940 in New York. Charlie Barnet, tenor [..]

Masterpieces Sleepers Swinging the Classics Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo June 16, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“Blues” from “Lenox Avenue” (1940) Artie Shaw/William Grant Still

“Blues” from Lenox Avenue Composed and arranged by William Grant Still. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for Victor on December 4, 1940 in Hollywood. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Billy Butterfield, George “Jumbo” Wendt and [..]

Masterpieces Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo May 20, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“The Birth of the Swing Era – Part 2 “Sometimes I’m Happy” (1935) Benny Goodman with Bunny Berigan and Arthur Rollini

“Sometimes I’m Happy” Composed by Vincent Youmans; arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Victor in New York on July 1, 1935. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Bunny Berigan, first and [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 17, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“Rose Room” (1939) Artie Shaw – two versions

“Rose Room” Composed by Art Hickman; arranged by Artie Shaw. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for Bluebird on January 31, 1939 in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: John Best, first trumpet; Chuck [..]

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 4 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 Swinging the Classics 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, 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. [..]

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  • “Disc Jockey Jump” (1947) Gene Krupa/Gerry Mulligan
  • “Strictly Instrumental” (1941) Harry James / (1942) Jimmie Lunceford
  • “Blue (Because of You)” (1935) Earl “Fatha” Hines / (1940) Lionel Hampton and Nat “King” Cole
  • “Ridin’ High” (1937) Benny Goodman with Harry James
  • “Luck Be a Lady” (1963) Frank Sinatra with Billy May
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