Where Swing is King!
“The Commando’s Serenade” Composed and arranged by Dave Matthews. Recorded by Hal McIntyre and His Orchestra for World Transcriptions on or about April 1, 1942 in New York. Hal McIntrye, first alto saxophone, directing: Louis [..]
“(How I’ll Miss You) When Summer is Gone” Composed by Hal Kemp; arranged by Billy Maxted. Recorded by Billy Maxted and His Manhattan Jazz Band for Liberty in 1967. Billy Maxted, piano, directing: Bob [..]
“Basin Street Blues” Composed by Spencer Williams; arranged by Glenn Miller. Recorded by Benny Goodman (as “The Charleston Chasers” under direction of Bennie Goodman) for Columbia on February 9, 1931 in New York. Benny Goodman, [..]
“Poinciana” Composed by Nat Simon (music) and Buddy Bernier (lyric); arranged by Frank Comstock. Recorded by Benny Carter and His Orchestra for Capitol on October 25, 1943 in San Francisco, California. Bennett Lester “Benny” Carter, [..]
“The Earl” Composed and arranged by Mel Powell. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Columbia-Okeh on September 25, 1941 in New York. Benjamin D. “Benny” Goodman, clarinet, directing: Billy Butterfield, first trumpet; Cootie [..]
“Any Old Time” Composed and arranged by Artie Shaw. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for RCA Bluebird on July 24, 1938 in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: John Best, first trumpet; Chuck [..]
“Afternoon in August” Composed and arranged by Bill Stegmeyer. Recorded by Billy Butterfield and His Orchestra for Capitol on November 10, 1947 in New York. Billy Butterfield, trumpet, directing: Archie Johnson, Bob Peck and Jack [..]
“Bakiff” Composed by Juan Tizol; arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra on June 5, 1941 for Victor in Hollywood. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace Jones trumpet; Rex Stewart, cornet; Juan [..]
“Anitra’s Dance” Composed by Edvard Grieg; arranged by Charlie Shavers. Recorded by the John Kirby Sextet for Vocalion/Columbia on May 19, 1939 in New York. John Kirby, bass, directing: Charlie Shavers, trumpet; William “Buster” Bailey, [..]
“Drop Me Off in Harlem” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Brunswick on February 16, 1933 in New York. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Arthur Whetsel, first trumpet; [..]
“I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra on March 3, 1938 for Brunswick in New York. Duke Ellington, piano, directing: [..]
“I’m Prayin’ Humble” Traditional Afro-American spiritual tune arranged by Bob Haggart. Recorded by Bob Crosby and His Orchestra for Decca on October 19, 1938 in Chicago. Bob Haggart, bass, directing: Rubin “Zeke” Zarchy, first trumpet; [..]
“Plymouth Rock” Composed and arranged (*) by Neal Hefti. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Clef on August 13, 1953 in Los Angeles. William J. “Count” Basie, piano, directing: Reunald Jones, Wendell Culley, [..]
“The Sergeant Was Shy” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra on August 28, 1939 for Columbia in New York. (# See note below.) Duke Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace [..]
“Blue and Sentimental” Composed by Count Basie; arranged by Eddie Durham. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Decca on June 6, 1938 in New York. William J. “Count” Basie, directing: Ed Lewis [..]
“Polka Dots and Moonbeams” Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Johnny Burke (lyric); arranged by Axel Stordahl. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for RCA- Bluebird on March 4, 1940 in New York. [..]
“Star Burst” Composed by Eddie Finckel and Gene Krupa; arranged by Eddie Finckel, with assistance from Dick Taylor. Recorded by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra for Columbia on February 8, 1947 in New York. Gene [..]
“Flying Home” Composed by Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman. Head arrangement organized by Lionel Hampton. Recorded by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra for Decca on May 26, 1942 in New York. Lionel Hampton, vibraphone, directing: [..]
“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 [..]
“No Name Jive” Composed and arranged by Larry Wagner. Recorded by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra for Decca on March 18, 1940 in New York. Glen Gray, directing: Frank Ryerson, first trumpet; H. [..]
“Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” Composed by Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. Harburg (lyric); arranged by Ralph Burns. Recorded by Woody Herman and His Orchestra for Columbia on February 26, 1945 in New York. [..]
“Big John Special” Composed and arranged by Horace Henderson. Recorded on November 16,1937 by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra from a CBS Camel Caravan broadcast. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Harry James, first trumpet; Ziggy Elman [..]
“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, [..]
“Dancing Nitely” Composed and arranged by Bill Holman. Recorded by Maynard Ferguson and His Orchestra for EmArcy Records on November 10, 1955 in Los Angeles. Maynard Ferguson, first and solo trumpet, directing: Buddy Childers and [..]
“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 [..]
“Just Kiddin’ Around” Composed and arranged by Ray Conniff. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra on October 30, 1941 in Chicago for Victor Records. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Steve Lipkins, first trumpet; Aniello “Lee” [..]
“Yard Dog Mazurka” Composed and arranged by Gerald Wilson. Recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra for Decca on August 26, 1941 in New York. Jimmie Lunceford, directing: Eugene E. “Snooky” Young, first trumpet; Paul [..]
“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 [..]
“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 [..]
“Harlem Nocturne” Composed and arranged by Earle Hagen. Recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra for Columbia on August 8, 1940 in Chicago. (*) Ray Noble, directing: Don Anderson, Bob Goodrich, Bert Harry, trumpets; Earle [..]