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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 Swing and Swing Redux Swinging the Classics Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 3, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“Moonlight Sonata” (1941) Glenn Miller / (1971) Enoch Light

“Moonlight Sonata” Composed by Ludwig von Beethoven; arranged by Bill Finegan. Recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra for RCA Bluebird on November 24,1941 in New York. Glenn Miller, first trombone; directing: R.D. McMickle, first [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 15, 2021 2 COMMENTS

“Taxi War Dance”(1939) Count Basie with Lester Young, Dicky Wells and Buddy Tate

“Taxi War Dance” Composed by Count Basie and Lester Young; head arrangement organized by Count Basie. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Columbia-Vocalion on March 19, 1939 in New York. William J. “Count” [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo November 9, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“I’ll Be Around” (1963) Tony Bennett with Bobby Hackett

“I’ll Be Around” Composed by Alec Wilder; arranged by Dick Hyman. Recorded by Tony Bennett for Columbia on November 6, 1963 in New York. An orchestra consisting of a string quartet and perhaps three trumpets [..]

Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo October 12, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“Blue Prelude” Isham Jones with Sonny Lee (1933); and Woody Herman (1940)

“Blue Prelude” Composed and arranged by Joe Bishop. Recorded by Isham Jones and His Orchestra for Victor on April 6,1933 in New York. Isham Jones, directing: Johnny Carlson, first trumpet; George Thow and Joe Hostetler, [..]

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 [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 28, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“La Fiesta” (1973) Woody Herman with Gregory Herbert, Andy Laverne, Frank Tiberi and Ed Soph

“La Fiesta”  Composed by Armando “Chick” Corea; arranged by Tony Klatka. Recorded by Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd for Prestige on April 9, 1973 in New York. Woody Herman, soprano saxophone, directing: Larry Pyatt, [..]

Seasons and Such Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 13, 2021 2 COMMENTS

“September Song” (1945) Artie Shaw/Ray Conniff and (1960) Ella Fitzgerald

“September Song” Composed by Kurt Weill (music). Arranged by Ray Conniff. Recorded by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra for Victor on April 5, 1945 in Hollywood. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Paul Cohen, first trumpet, Bernie [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo September 2, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“Jivin’ with Jarvis” (1940) Lionel Hampton with the Nat “King” Cole Trio

“Jivin’ with Jarvis” Composed by Lionel Hampton; informal “head” arrangement. Recorded by Lionel Hampton for Victor on July 17, 1940 in Hollywood. Lionel Hampton, vibraphone, directing: Nat “King” Cole, piano; Oscar Moore, electric guitar; Wesley [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 27, 2021 2 COMMENTS

“Dragonwyck” (1961) Stan Kenton with Marvin Stamm, Gabe Baltazar and Gene Roland

“Dragonwyck” Composed and arranged by Gene Roland. Recorded by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra for Capitol on December 13, 1961 in Hollywood. Stan Kenton, piano, directing: Dalton Smith, first trumpet; Bob Behrendt, Bob Rolfe, Norman [..]

Sleepers Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 16, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“One Sweet Letter from You” (1939) Benny Goodman with Louise Tobin and Ziggy Elman

“One Sweet Letter from You” Composed by Harry Warren (music), Sidney Clare and Lew Brown (lyric); arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Columbia on September 13, 1939 in New [..]

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 [..]

Sleepers Swinging the Classics Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo August 2, 2021 1 COMMENTS

“Goin’ Home” and “Slumber Song” (1940) Glenn Miller

“Goin’ Home” Composed by Antonin Dvorak; arranged by Jerry Gray. Recorded live in performance by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra on a CBS Chesterfield broadcast on December 18, 1940 in New York. Glenn Miller, first [..]

Sleepers Swing 101 Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 26, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“Then I’ll Be Happy” (1946) Tommy Dorsey and Sy Oliver with Charlie Shavers and Don Lodice

“Then I’ll Be Happy” Composed by Cliff Friend; arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for RCA Victor in New York on April 8, 1946. Tommy Dorsey, first and solo trombone, [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 13, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” (1961) Billy Strayhorn

“A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” Composed and arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Billy Strayhorn for United Artists Records in Paris, France in January of 1961. Billy Strayhorn, piano, directing: Michel Gaudry, bass; and [..]

Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo July 7, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” (1960) Les Elgart

“Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” Composed by Richard Rodgers; probably arranged by Charlie Albertine. Recorded by Les Elgart and His Orchestra for Columbia on August 30, 1960 in New York. Personnel unknown. Les Elgart on trumpet. [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo June 28, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“Big Beaver” (1941) Jan Savitt with Joe Aglora and Al Leopold / (1940) Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

“Big Beaver” Composed by Bob Wills; probably arranged by Billy Moore. Recorded by Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters for Decca on February 27, 1941 in New York. Jan Savitt, directing: Jack Hansen, first trumpet; [..]

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 [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo June 10, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“High on a Windy Trumpet” (1946) Les Brown with Jeff Clarkson, Warren Covington, Ted Nash and Jimmy Zito

  “High on a Windy Trumpet” Composed and arranged by Bob Higgins. Recorded by Les Brown and His Orchestra for Columbia on March 27, 1946 in New York. Les Brown, conducting: Al Muller, Jimmy Zito, [..]

Seasons and Such Sleepers Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo June 2, 2021 2 COMMENTS

“Guess I’ll Go Back Home (This Summer)” (1939) Glenn Miller/Bill Challis featuring Tex Beneke

“Guess I’ll Go Back Home (This Summer)” Composed by Willard Robison (music) and Ray Mayer (lyric); arranged by Bill Challis. Recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra for RCA Bluebird on June 2, 1939 in [..]

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 [..]

Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo May 14, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“The Blues I Like To Hear” (1938) Count Basie/Jimmy Rushing

“The Blues I Like to Hear” Music composed by Henry “Buster” Smith, lyric by Jimmy Rushing; arranged by Buster Smith. Recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra for Decca on November 16, 1938 in New [..]

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 [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 1, 2021 4 COMMENTS

“The House of the Rising Sun” (1966) Henry Mancini with Vince DeRosa and Plas Johnson

  “The House of the Rising Sun” Composed by Alan Price; arranged by Henry Mancini. Recorded by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra for RCA Victor on February 28, 1966 in Hollywood. Henry Mancini, directing: Al [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 13, 2021 3 COMMENTS

“Tippin’ In” (1945) Erskine Hawkins with Bobby Smith, Bobby Johnson and Julian Dash

“Tippin’ In” Composed and arranged by Bobby Smith. Recorded by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra for Victor on January 10, 1945 in Chicago. Erskine Hawkins, trumpet, directing: Sammy Lowe, first trumpet; Bobby Johnson, Chuck Jones, [..]

Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo March 5, 2021 4 COMMENTS

“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, CA, October 10, 1941. Stanley Kenton, piano, directing: Jack Ordean, first alto [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 20, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“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 Ellington, piano; directing: Wallace Jones and Ray Nance, trumpets; Rex Stewart, cornet; [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo February 5, 2021 9 COMMENTS

“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 His Orchestra for Victor on February 1, 1939 in New York. Benny Goodman, [..]

Sleepers Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 16, 2021 0 COMMENTS

“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 RCA Victor on November 3, 1952 in New York. Bill Finegan, celeste, [..]

Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 9, 2021 13 COMMENTS

“St. James Infirmary” (1941) Artie Shaw with Hot Lips Page

  “St. James Infirmary” Composed by Joe Primrose; arranger Daniel Y. Mendelsohn.(*) Recorded by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra for Victor on November 12, 1941 in New York. Artie Shaw, clarinet, directing: Steve Lipkins, first [..]

Sleepers Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo December 19, 2020 1 COMMENTS

“‘T’Aint So Honey, ‘T’Aint So” (1938) Bunny Berigan – with Georgie Auld, Joe Dixon and Buddy Rich

“‘T’Aint So Honey, ‘T’Aint So” Composed by Willard Robison; arranger unknown, possibly Dick Rose. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Thesaurus Transcription Service on August 8-9, 1938 in New York. Bunny Berigan, first [..]

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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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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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