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Swing & Beyond

Where Swing is King!

Category: Swingscapes

Writings about swing by Michael P. Zirpolo and other experts that will provide a context for the music you will be hearing, and allow for a deeper understanding of the music and the people who made it.

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 10, 2020 2 COMMENTS

“I’m in the Market for You” (1939) Harry James

“I’m in the Market for You” Composed by James F. Hanley (music) and Joseph McCarthy (lyric); probably arranged by Jack Matthias. Recorded by Harry James and His Orchestra for Columbia in Los Angeles on November [..]

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 [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo October 21, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“Polka Dots and Moonbeams” (1940) Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra, and (1961) Frank Sinatra with Sy Oliver

“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. [..]

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

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

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 7, 2019 5 COMMENTS

“Star Burst” (1947) Gene Krupa – The story of his drug bust (and frame-up).

“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 [..]

Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 28, 2019 4 COMMENTS

“The Grabtown Grapple” (1945) Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five

“The Grabtown Grapple” Composed by Artie Shaw and Buster Harding; head arrangement worked out by Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five. Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five for Victor on January 9-10, 1945 [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 21, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“‘Round Midnight” (1963) Gene Roland’s Swingin’ Friends featuring Clark Terry

“‘Round Midnight” Composed by Thelonoius Monk; arranged by Gene Roland. Recorded by Gene Roland and His Swingin’ Friends for Brunswick on May 23-24, 1963 in New York. Gene Roland directing: Eugene “Snooky” Young, first trumpet; [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 7, 2019 3 COMMENTS

“Long Tall Mama” (1941) Glenn Miller and Billy May

“Long Tall Mama” Composed and arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra on November 3, 1941 for RCA Victor in New York. Glenn Miller, first trombone, directing: R.D. “Mickey” McMickle, first [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 25, 2019 1 COMMENTS

“It Never Entered My Mind” (1971) Oscar Peterson and The Singers Unlimited

“It Never Entered My Mind” Composed by Richard Rodgers (music) and Lorenz Hart (lyric); vocal arrangement by Gene Puerling. Recorded by the Oscar Peterson Trio and the Singers Unlimited in July of 1971 for MPS [..]

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo July 19, 2019 4 COMMENTS

“Flying Home” Lionel Hampton

“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: [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 10, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“The Pied Piper” (1938) Bunny Berigan and Ruth Gaylor

“The Pied Piper” Composed by Buddy Arnold and Jack Gould; arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Victor on June 8, 1938 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: Steve [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 4, 2019 5 COMMENTS

“Ring Dem Bells” (1939) -live- Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters

“Ring Dem Bells” Composed by Duke Ellington; arranged by Johnny Watson. Recorded by Jan Savitt and HisTop Hatters live from a broadcast from the Blue Room of Hotel Lincoln in New York City on August [..]

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 [..]

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo May 31, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“No Name Jive” (1940) Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra

“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. [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo May 10, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“Hay Burner” (1968) Count Basie and Sammy Nestico

“Hay Burner” Composed and arranged by Sammy Nestico. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Dot on September 3-4, 1968 in Hollywood, California. Sammy Nestico, piano, directing: Gene Coe, first trumpet; George “Sonny” Cohn, [..]

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; [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo April 26, 2019 5 COMMENTS

Happiness Was a Guy Called Joe

“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. [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo April 13, 2019 2 COMMENTS

“Big John Special” (1937) Benny Goodman with Harry James and Gene Krupa; and (1938) Benny Goodman with Harry James and Dave Tough

“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 [..]

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 [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 23, 2019 4 COMMENTS

“Flat Foot Floogie” (1938) Benny Goodman with Harry James and Dave Tough

“Flat Foot Floogie” Composed by Slim Gaillard, Slam Stewart and Bud Green; probably arranged by Edgar Sampson. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Victor on May 31, 1938 in New York. Benny Goodman, [..]

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, [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 4, 2019 4 COMMENTS

“Milenberg Joys” (1939) Tommy Dorsey with Dave Tough

“Milenberg Joys” Composed by Jelly Roll Morton(*); arranged by Deane Kincaide. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Victor on January 19, 1939 in New York. Tommy Dorsey, first and solo trombone, directing: Andy [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 1, 2019 2 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, [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 25, 2019 11 COMMENTS

“Just Kiddin’ Around” (1941) Artie Shaw

“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” [..]

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 12, 2019 0 COMMENTS

“Yard Dog Mazurka” (1941) Jimmie Lunceford/”Intermission Riff” (1946) Stan Kenton

“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 [..]

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 [..]

Seasons and Such Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 15, 2018 2 COMMENTS

“The Christmas Song” and Nat “King” Cole

The story: Try to rewind your mind to the summer of 1945, in the San Fernando Valley district of Los Angeles, California. I quote singer Mel Torme’ (shown at left in the 1940s) to fill [..]

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Featured Posts

Opus in Pastels (1941) and (1963) Stan Kenton

  "Opus in Pastels" Composed and arranged by Stan Kenton. Recorded by Stanley Kenton and His Orchestra for C.P. MacGregor Transcription Service, Hollywood, ...

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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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Recent Posts

  • “Opus in Pastels” (1941) and (1963) Stan Kenton
  • “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
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