Jimmy Mundy was best known for his classic arrangements for Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Earl Hines. The saxophonist / arranger first developed in skills in the 1920's playing with local bands in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. In the early 1930's he got his big break when he wrote and sold some of his arrangements to Claude Hopkins. Mundy was then hired by Earl Hines to play sax in his famous "Grand Terrace Orchestra" and this is where Jimmy developed the reputation of a top rate arranger.
By 1935, Mundy had attracted the attention of Benny Goodman. Goodman hired Mundy and by 1938, he along with Fletcher Henderson, were considered Goodman's principle staff arrangers.
In late 1938, drumming great Gene Krupa, departed Goodman's band to form his own outfit and Mundy followed. Even though he was connected with Krupa, Mundy still continued to contribute arrangements to Goodman on a freelance basis.
Throughout the 1940's, Mundy led his own band on a limited basis, but he's most remembered in that decade for his compositions and arrangements he supplied to some of the biggest bands of the era including: Harry James, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Charlie Spivak, Paul Whiteman and many others.
The band he personally led didn't make much of an impact, but they did manage to make some great recordings and their performances on Jubilee were legendary.
Listen to: "Fiesta In Brass" by Jimmy Mundy and His Orchestra
You can hear the music of Jimmy Mundy right here on Swing City Radio.
