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Swing & Beyond

Where Swing is King!

Category: Sleepers

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 16, 2019 5 COMMENTS

“Gypsy Without a Song” (1938) Duke Ellington; (1993) Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

“Gypsy Without a Song” Composed by Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol and Lou Singer; arranged by Lou Singer. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Master/Brunswick on June 20, 1938 in New York. Duke Ellington, [..]

Seasons and Such Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 9, 2019 8 COMMENTS

“My Funny Valentine” (1954) Artie Shaw

“My Funny Valentine” Composed by Richard Rodgers (music) and Lorenz Hart (lyric). Privately recorded by the Artie Shaw Gramercy Five in Hollywood in June of 1954. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Hank Jones, piano; Joe Puma, [..]

Movie music Sleepers
Mike Zirpolo February 5, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“Blues for Brando” (1953) Leith Stevens/Shorty Rogers, with Bud Shank, Milt Bernhart and Bob Cooper

  “Blues for Brando” Composed  by Leith Stevens; arranged by Leith Stevens with probable assistance by Shorty Rogers.(*) Recorded by Leith Stevens with Shorty Rogers on August 14, 1953 in Hollywood, California. Leith Stevens, directing: [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 1, 2019 3 COMMENTS

“Easy Does It” (1940) Count Basie with Lester Young, Buck Clayton and Sweets Edison

“Easy Does It” Composed by Sy Oliver and James “Trummy” Young; arranged by Jimmy Mundy. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Columbia on March 20, 1940 in New York. William J. “Count” Basie, [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 4, 2019 4 COMMENTS

“4:30 Blues”(1969) Duke Ellington with Russell Procope

“4:30 Blues” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra in concert on November 25-26, 1969 in Manchester, England. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: William “Cat” Anderson, Charles M. “Cootie” Williams, [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo December 26, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“Morning Glory” (1940) Duke Ellington/Rex Stewart and (1964) Ted Heath/Kenny Baker

“Morning Glory” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on March 6, 1940 in Chicago. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace Jones, first trumpet, Cootie Williams, trumpet, Rex [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 8, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“New Blues” (1967) Buddy Rich with Ray Starling and Jay Corre

“New Blues” Composed and arranged by Donall Piestrup. Recorded by the Buddy Rich Big Band on June 15, 1967 for Pacific Jazz/Liberty in Hollywood. Buddy Rich, drums, directing: Ollie Mitchell, Chuck Finley, John Scottile and [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo December 1, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Cuckoo in the Clock” (1939) Benny Goodman and Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer…Poet of American Popular Song The story: I have found over time that my reading is very often directed by the music I have listened to recently. Last month, I rediscovered (for the umteenth [..]

Movie music Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 10, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Invitation” (1963) Buddy Morrow

“Invitation” Composed by Bronislaw Kaper; arranged by Walt Stuart. Recorded by Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra in New York in 1963. The Story:  Bronislaw Kaper (shown at left in the 1950s) was born on February 5, 1902 [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 3, 2018 0 COMMENTS

“Malibu” (1945) Benny Carter; Glen Gray with Skeets Herfurt (1958)

“Malibu” Composed and arranged by Benny Carter. Recorded by Benny Carter and His Orchestra for Capitol on April 9, 1945 in Los Angeles. Benny Carter, alto saxophone, directing: Paul Cohen, first trumpet; Gerald Wilson, Emmett [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo October 27, 2018 4 COMMENTS

“The Folks Who Live on the Hill” (1956) Ted Heath and His Music featuring Leslie Gilbert

“The Folks Who Live on the Hill” Composed by Jerome Kern; arranged by Johnny Keating. Recorded by Ted Heath and His Music for Decca in London, England in 1956. Ted Heath, directing: Bobby Pratt, first [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo October 13, 2018 5 COMMENTS

“The Chant” (1939) Artie Shaw and Klezmer music

“The Chant” Composed and arranged by Artie Shaw. Recorded from a CBS Melody and Madness radio broadcast on March 12, 1939. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: John Best, first trumpet; Chuck Peterson and Bernie Privin, trumpets; George [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 29, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“Detour Ahead” (1959) Ella Fitzgerald

“Detour Ahead” Composed by Johnny Frigo, Lou Carter and Herb Ellis. (* see below). Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald with Herb Ellis, guitar, on March 25, 1959 for Verve in Hollywood. The story: By the time [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 22, 2018 0 COMMENTS

“Remember” (1937) Red Norvo and (1970) Billy May and the Swing Era Orchestra

“Remember”            Composed by Irving Berlin; arranged by Eddie Sauter.          Recorded by Red Norvo and His Orchestra for Brunswick on March 22, 1937 in Chicago. Kenneth “Red” [..]

Movie music Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 15, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Blues for Francine” (1987) Ralph Burns

“Blues for Francine” Composed and arranged by Ralph Burns. Recorded by Ralph Burns at Group IV Recording, Hollywood, California in February of 1987. Ralph Burns, piano, conducting: Rick Baptist, first trumpet; Oscar Brashear, Gary Grant, [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 31, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“Rocks in My Bed” (1941) Duke Ellington and Ivie Anderson

“Rocks in My Bed” Composed by Duke Ellington; arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor on September 29, 1941 in Hollywood, California. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: [..]

Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 18, 2018 0 COMMENTS

“Get Happy” (1954) Benny Goodman – 40,000 views later – swingandbeyond.com passes a milestone

The story: Back in early 2016, I was about to launch this blog. Over several decades I had accumulated a lot of recorded music, books, images and articles about the musicians who made the music, [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 31, 2018 2 COMMENTS

Mannie Klein’s birthday party (1933) and Bobby Hackett’s “Embraceable You” (1939)

Trumpeter Mannie Klein (pictured above), was born in New York City on February 4, 1908. The silent film presented below was shot at his 25th birthday party on February 4, 1933. As you will see, it [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 21, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“In a Persian Market” (1939) Larry Clinton and (1971) Billy May and the Swing Era Orchestra

“In a Persian Market” Composed by Albert W. Ketelbey; arranged by Larry Clinton. Recorded by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra for Victor on June 7, 1939 in New York. Larry Clinton,directing: Steve Lipkins, first trumpet; [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo June 9, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Too Many Tears” (1969) Maxine Sullivan with Bob Wilber

“Too Many Tears” Composed by Harry Warren (music), and Al Dubin (lyric).  Recorded by Maxine Sullivan and Bob Wilber for Monmouth-Evergreen on June 11, 1969 in New York. Maxine Sullivan, singing, with: Bob Wilber, soprano [..]

Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo May 13, 2018 8 COMMENTS

“Caravan” Bunny Berigan (1937)

“Caravan” Composed by Juan Tizol; arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra on August 18, 1937 for Victor in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: Steve Lipkins, first trumpet; Irving Goodman, [..]

Sleepers Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 21, 2018 3 COMMENTS

“Blue Champagne” (1941) Jimmy Dorsey and Bob Eberly

“Blue Champagne” Composed by Grady Watts and Frank Ryerson; arranged by Toots Camarata. Recorded by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Decca on April 29, 1941 in New York. Jimmy Dorsey, alto saxophone; directing: Jimmy [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 6, 2018 1 COMMENTS

“The Happy Stranger” (1947) Claude Thornhill / Dutch Jazz Orchestra (2006)

“The Happy Stranger” Composed by John Benson Brooks; arranged by Gil Evans. Recorded by Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra on November 4, 1947 for Associated Transcription Service in New York. Claude Thornhill, piano, directing: Paul [..]

Seasons and Such Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 2, 2018 7 COMMENTS

“Forty Days” (1965) Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Paul Desmond

“Forty Days” Composed by Dave Brubeck. Head arrangement by Dave Brubeck Quartet. Recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for Columbia Records in New York between September 20 and October 13, 1965. Dave Brubeck, piano; Paul [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 16, 2018 4 COMMENTS

“Rattle and Roll” (1945) Benny Goodman

“Rattle and Roll” Composed and arranged by Wilbur “Buck” Clayton. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Columbia on December 19, 1945 in New York. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Conrad Gozzo, first trumpet; John [..]

Seasons and Such Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 9, 2018 1 COMMENTS

“Manha de Carnaval” (1962) Vince Guaraldi

“Manha de Carnaval” Music composed by Luiz Bonfa’. Recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio in February, 1962 for Fantasy Records in San Francisco. Vince Guaraldi, piano; Monty Budwig, bass; Colin Bailey, drums. The story: As [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women)
Mike Zirpolo January 20, 2018 9 COMMENTS

“Don’t Take Your Love From Me” – Artie Shaw and Lena Horne (1941)

“Don’t Take Your Love From Me” Composed by Henry Nemo; arranged by Artie Shaw. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra on June 26, 1941 in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Henry “Red” Allen, [..]

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, [..]

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 [..]

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, [..]

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Featured Posts
Publicity portrait of American singer and actor Herb Jeffries (aka Herbert Jeffrey), 1948. (Photo by John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

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 ...

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Lady Day (1944) Artie Shaw with Roy Eldridge/ (1987) Loren Schoenberg and His Jazz Orchestra

"Lady Day" Composed and arranged by Jimmy Mundy. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for Victor on November 23, 1944 in ...

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I'm in a Dancing Mood (1936) Tommy Dorsey with Jack Leonard /Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond (1959)

"I'm in a Dancing Mood" Composed by Al Hoffman, Al Goodheart and Maurice Sigler; probably arranged by Paul Wetstein (Weston) or ...

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Jingle Bells (1935) Benny Goodman with Bunny Berigan

"Jingle Bells" Composed by J.S. Pierpont; arranged by Lyle "Spud" Murphy. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Victor on July ...

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Southern Scandal Stan Kenton (1945) /Billy May and the Swing Era Orchestra (1970)

"Southern Scandal" Composed and arranged by Stan Kenton. Recorded by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra for Capitol on May 4, 1945 in ...

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Archives

Recent Posts

  • “Flamingo” (1940) Duke Ellington, Herb Jeffries, Billy Strayhorn / (1953) Duke Ellington, Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, Billy Strayhorn
  • “Lady Day” (1944) Artie Shaw with Roy Eldridge/ (1987) Loren Schoenberg and His Jazz Orchestra
  • “I’m in a Dancing Mood” (1936) Tommy Dorsey with Jack Leonard /Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond (1959)
  • “Southern Scandal” Stan Kenton (1945) /Billy May and the Swing Era Orchestra (1970)
  • “It’s Always You” Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra (1941) / Frank Sinatra with Sy Oliver (1961)
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