Where Swing is King!
“Luck Be a Lady” Composed by Frank Loesser; arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Frank Sinatra for Reprise on July 25, 1963 in Los Angeles. Frank Sinatra, singing; with Billy May, directing the orchestra (approximate [..]
“Southern Scandal” Composed and arranged by Stan Kenton. Recorded by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra for Capitol on May 4, 1945 in Chicago. Stan Kenton, piano, directing: Buddy Childers, John Carroll, Mel Green, Gene Roland [..]
“Pavanne” Composed by Morton Gould; arranged by Bill Finegan and Glenn Miller. Recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra for Bluebird on April 18, 1939 in New York. Glenn Miller, first and solo trombone, directing: [..]
“My Reverie” Composed by Claude Debussy; lyric by Larry Clinton. Recorded by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra for Victor on July 16, 1938 in New York. Larry Clinton, directing: Walter Smith, Ricky Traettino and [..]
“Over the Rainbow” Composed by Harold Arlen, music; and E.Y. Harburg, lyric. Arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald on January 15, 1961 for Verve in Hollywood. Billy May, arranger, directing: Don Fagerquist, trumpet; [..]
“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” [..]
“You’re a Sweetheart” Composed by Jimmy McHugh (music) and Harold Adamson (lyric); Head arrangement by Tommy Dorsey. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Clambake Seven for Victor on October 14, 1937 in New York. Tommy [..]
“Margie” Composed by Con Conrad and J. Russell Robinson (music), Benny Davis (lyric); arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra for Decca on January 6, 1938 in New York. Jimmie Lunceford, [..]
“Autumn Serenade” Composed by Peter De Rose; arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Harry James and His Orchestra for Columbia on July 24,1945 in Hollywood. Harry James, trumpet, directing: Jimmy Campbell, Irwin Berken, Al Ramsey, [..]
“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, [..]
“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, [..]
“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, [..]
“Boulder Buff” Composed Eugene Novello; arranged by Fred Norman. Recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra for RCA/Bluebird on May 7,1941 in Hollywood. Glenn Miller, trombone, directing: John Best first trumpet; R.D. McMickle, Ray Anthony [..]
“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 [..]
“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 [..]
“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” [..]
Victor’s 24th Street New York Recording Studio The Story: What do Benny Goodman’s “King Porter Stomp,” Artie Shaw’s “Begin the Beguine,” Bunny Berigan’s “I Can’t Get Started,” Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade,” Tommy Dorsey’s “I’m [..]
“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; [..]
“Pompton Turnpike” Composed by Will Osborne and Dick Rogers; arranged by Billy May. Recorded by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra for Bluebird on July 19, 1940 in New York. Charlie Barnet, soprano saxophone, directing: Sam [..]
They both grew up in Pittsburgh at the same time, the 1920s and 1930s, and knew each other. They were about the same age. But they were very different people. One was big and boisterous; [..]