The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Collection of Favorites (2023) -
Listen to some of Ronnaldo's favorite songs he played this year! This special show features vintage Big Band recordings by The Andrews Sisters, Alvino Rey, Raymond Scott and many more.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Collection of Favorites (2023)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
I've recently added some great instrumental tracks by Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra to the Swing City Radio playlist. They include songs from various 1939 performances broadcasted from the Savoy Ballroom, located in Harlem, as well as gigs from The Grand Terrace in Chicago and The Roseland in New York City. The Roseland performances took place in early 1940.
The spotlight on these tracks shines more on the band, and not on Fitzgerald. In 1939, bandleader Chick Webb sadly passed away and left the control of his top shelf band in the hands of Ella Fitzgerald. She led this incredible band until 1942 when she left to pursue her solo career and became the vocal icon we remember her as today.
Listen to: Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra – "The Harlem Stride"
This great band included names like Taft Jordan, Dick Vance, George Matthews and Sandy Williams. These tracks were all broadcasted within a year of Chick Webb's passing and you can still hear the influence he had on the orchestra. In my humble opinion, Webb led one of the most rockin' bands of the 1930's and you can hear it in the recordings.
Listen to: Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra – "Everybody Rock"
Hey everyone! I posted a new batch of 78's on YouTube today. Songs by Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Nellie Lutcher, The Pied Pipers and Gene Krupa. Very good stuff and most of them cleaned up nicely.
Included is a song called "Russian Lullaby" by Bunny Berigan And His Orchestra. It was a part of a 4 disc set that was originally released in 1942. Also, have a listen to Gene Krupa And His Orchestra's song called "I Know That You Know" This was released on the Brunswick Label in 1938.
Listen to: "Russian Lullaby" by Bunny Berigan And His Orchestra from 1942
Listen to: "I Know That You Know" by Gene Krupa And His Orchestra from 1938
If you'd like to listen to more 78's, here is the direct link to the YouTube playlist: Ronnaldo's 78rpm Collection.
Today's Soundie is "Watcha Know Joe?" (notice the spelling of the title) by Larry Clinton. This is a simple, straight-forward Soundie that features the band playing on a studio stage. The vocals are handled by Butch Stone.
The footage was originally filmed in 1941 but was released as a Soundie in August of 1943. By the time of it's release, Larry Clinton was already serving in the armed forces in World War II.
Take notice that the Phonovue prints (the credit overlay at the beginning) cite the title of the song as "Watcha Know Joe?." I know the budgets on the production of these Soundies were quite tight, but you think they could have afforded that extra "H" they left out of the word "Whatcha". :)
All jokes aside, Clinton and the boys perform a unique and entertaining version of this song. Enjoy!
Watch: "Watcha Know Joe?" by Larry Clinton and his Orchestra.
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Celebrating: Christmas Music -
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone! This special show features vintage Big Band Christmas recordings by Jimmy Dorsey, Johnny Mercer, Henry Hall, Horace Heidt and many more.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Celebrating - Christmas Music
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
Today's Soundie features Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra performing their version of "Skylark". This was released to Panoram in June of 1942 and is just one of eight Soundies put out by this respected trumpeter. The vocal are handled by the beautiful Harriett Clark, who seems to be quite relaxed while performing her singing duties. Look for the superimposed caption that identifies Sonny Dunham during his solo.
Enjoy!
Watch: Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra perform "Skylark" from 1942.
Starting in 2024, I will no longer be sending out a Monthly Newsletter through Mailchimp. Mailchimp is a very good company but it's not really filling my needs.
But, this doesn't mean that I will no longer be sending you emails! You can still be on my Mailing List and receive Articles, Station Updates and Video Clips in your Inbox from Swing City Radio. Read further to learn how...
My Patreon Page now has a JOIN FOR FREE option that will enable me to email you on a more timely basis rather than waiting for the beginning of the month. It's easy to join, just click here: Swing City Radio Patreon Page and then click on the Join for Free button. (See Picture Below)
I'm very excited about this new Mailing List setup because I will be able to deliver you content in a more efficient and timely way. Just make sure to Join For Free by the end of this year. Also, if you currently a Hepcat Supporter, you will receive these emails and no action is needed on your part.
Today's Soundie is yet another one from Stan Kenton. "It's Been A Long, Long Time" was released to Panoram in December of 1945 and just one of the eighteen Soundies Kenton and His Band filmed through the years. It features the beautiful June Christy on vocals along with the postwar lineup of the Band.
This Soundie was filmed very well and manages to capture Stan Kenton being Stan Kenton. Enjoy!
Watch: A Soundie by Stan Kenton - "It's Been a Long, Long Time" from 1945
Liz Tilton was the younger sister of famed Benny Goodman vocalist, Martha Tilton. She never enjoyed the popularity achieved by her older sister, but Liz managed to put together a pretty good career in her own right.
Her career started in 1938 with Kenny Baker's band while she was still in high school. She was also featured by Buddy Rodgers before joining Ray Noble and His Orchestra in 1940.
In early 1941, she left Noble's band to join on with Bob Crosby's outfit. This move greatly increased Tilton's exposure. Shortly after World War II broke out, Liz was featured on many AFRS Programs and performed at many USO shows.
By the mid 1940's, Liz Tilton had created a bit of name for herself and was no longer just known as Martha's kid sister. She joined up with Jan Garber and His Orchestra for a couple of years and and also enjoyed a mildly successful solo career.
Listen to: "It's Been a Long, Long Time" sung by Liz Tilton.
Note: Liz was billed by her full name, Elizabeth Tilton on many recordings as well.
You can hear the beautiful voice of Liz Tilton right here on Swing City Radio.
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear Teresa - Show 188 -
Features vintage recordings by Jerry Gray, Jan Savitt and Fletcher Henderson. We also learn a little bit about vocalist Russ Columbo and listen to an old radio ad from Pall Mall Cigarettes.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear Teresa (Show 188)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
This month I've added some pretty cool tracks to the Swing City Radio rotation. As always, I had to clean up the audio on these but they came out sounding very good. Here's a quick breakdown of some of the new additions:
Harry James
Source: Various Chesterfield Show Broadcasts from 1943
Tracks include: "That Old Feeling", "Mexico City" and "Somebody Loves Me".
Jimmy Dorsey
Source: Downbeat (AFRS) - May 26, 1943
This show contained some fantastic Dorsey music including: "Paper Moon", "Turn Right" and a great performance of "You Can't Get Stuff In Your Cuff".
Guy Lombardo
Source: Musical Autographs (AFRS) - Sep 11, 1945
I have to admit, I'm not the biggest Guy Lombardo fan. But, these tracks are very entertaining. Keep an ear out for: "Bell Bottom Trousers", "Oh! Brother" and "You Never Miss The Water Till The Well Runs Dry".
Also added to the station playlist this month are songs by:
Louis Armstrong, The Pied Pipers, The King Sisters, Sammy Kaye, The DeMarco Sisters and Johnny Desmond.
Kid Ory, born Edward Ory in 1886, is widely considered one of the best trombonists ever to play Jazz. He began as banjo player but then moved on to slide trombone in his early teens. He learned the instrument by playing an old trombone handed down to him from the Civil War era.
In 1910, Ory moved to New Orleans and had one of the best known bands in the city. The band was a bit of a revolving door, but at times contained names like King Oliver, Mutt Carey, Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone and Louis Armstrong.
During the 1920's, Ory would move his band to Los Angeles and then to Chicago. He was helping spread the sound and popularity of New Orleans Jazz nationwide. He was very active in Chicago recording with Armstrong and Jellyroll Morton. Ory would also mentor Benny Goodman and Charles Mingus.
Then, out of nowhere, the Great Depression happened. Ory retired from music to run a chicken farm in Los Angeles.
In 1943, Ory returned to music and became an important force in reviving interest in New Orleans Jazz. His band of All Stars made many radio broadcasts on The Orson Welles Almanac program in 1944. This led to a series of recordings for the Crescent label.
Listen to: "Tiger Rag" by the Mercury All-Star Jazz Combination
featuring Kid Ory from 1944.
Ory retired from music in 1966 (this time the retirement stuck) and he spent his last years in the beautiful state of Hawaii.
You can hear Kid Ory's great blend of New Orleans Jazz right here on Swing City Radio.
During the last week of this October, I actually had some free time to clean up and digitize some of the 78's in my collection. I still have a milk crate worth of Shellac to work on, but I'm also hoping to get out to the record stores sometime in November. I miss those dusty, discount bins.
Here are two of my favorites that I cleaned up this month:
"Jersey Bounce" by Earl Hines from 1941
"Fralich In Swing" by Ziggy Elman from 1939. This later became a hit for Benny Goodman when Johnny Mercer added lyrics and the name was changes to "And The Angels Sing"
If you want to listen to more of my 78rpms click here.
This October, Swing City Radio will be streaming for 4 years. Time flies when your playing Swing! It still blows my mind that so many people tune in daily and I want to thank all of you that listen to the station so passionately. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! -
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The Boswell Sisters were one of the most influential female singing trios of the Swing Era. Martha Boswell, Connee Boswell and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell hailed from New Orleans. The Boswell Sisters are remembered for their unique harmonies and ground-breaking arrangements. Simply said, they were HUGE in the United States during 1930's. The trio was also known for fusing a wide range of styles, vocalization and instrumentation into their music. Their collaborations with the popular musicians of their day including the: Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, had a huge effect on the development of Big Band Music.
Martha, Connie, and Vet grew up with formal, classical musical education. But in addition to that, their mother would take her daughters regularly to see the leading African–American performers of the day at the Lyric Theatre. These experiences would later influence their "sound". In interviews, the sisters remembered driving around New Orleans listening for new and interesting sounds, which they often found outside African–American churches and barrooms. As the Boswell girls got older, Vet took up the banjo and Connie the saxophone. Martha continued playing the piano but focused on the rhythms of ragtime and jazz.
Listen to "The Object of My Affection" by The Boswell Sisters from 1935
In 1925, they made their first record for Victor Records. After touring with a vaudeville company through the Southern portions of the United States, the sisters arrived in Los Angeles in October 1929. They began appearing on radio programs and recording music for movies.
Their unique approach to reworking melodies and their improvisational styles had mixed reviews in the beginning. But, as we all know, most ground-breaking artists go through that and after relocating to New York City in 1930, the Boswell Sisters soon attained national attention. They began making national radio broadcasts including a program on CBS that ran from 1931 to 1933.
Also in 1931, The Boswell Sisters signed a contract with Brunswick Records and made recordings from 1931 to 1935. While recording for Brunswick, They were granted great artistic control and took greater liberties in their music like regularly changing style, tempo, lyrics and time signatures.
In 1936, the group signed to Decca, but after just three records they broke up. Connie Boswell continued to have a successful solo career as a singer for Decca. In the 1940's, she changed the spelling of her name from Connie to Connee.
The Boswell Sisters chalked up 20 hits during the 1930's, including their number-one song "The Object of My Affection" in 1935.They also appeared in movie during this time as well. When you get down to it, The Boswell Sisters were among radio's earliest stars. They were an influence to other artists as well, like Ella Fitzgerald and The Andrews Sisters.
The Boswell Sisters in a movie clip. Abe Lyman makes a cameo appearance.
You can hear the music of the Boswell Sisters right here on Swing City Radio.
I apologize that I haven't been able to upload videos to the channel at the rate I was achieving in the summer. But recently, I carved out some time and added some new vids. Also, I have another milk crate of 78rpm to digitize so you should see more of these videos released during the Fall months.
Here's a small sample of Shellac I recently posted:
Listen to: Johnny Long And His Orchestra – "How Are Things In Glocca Morra" from 1947.
Listen to: Benny Goodman And His Orchestra – "Perfidia"
Listen to: "Don Voorhees And His Earl Carroll Vanities Orchestra" – The Riff Song from 1929.
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Jumpin’ With Zig On a Tin Roof - Show 180 -
Features music by Artie Shaw, Horace Heidt, The Starlighters and more. We also learn a little bit about Carl Fischer and His Orchestra and how to clean small articles around your house.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Jumpin’ With Zig On a Tin Roof (Show 180)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Madam La Zonga Uses Dreft - Show 179 -
Features vintage recordings by Count Basie, Larry Clinton and Jimmy Dorsey. We also listen to a great Soundie by Kay Kyser and learn about self cleaning soap.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Madam La Zonga Uses Dreft (Show 179)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Empty Glass, But Full of Music - Show 177 -
Features vintage recordings by Lionel Hampton, Jerry Wald and Cootie Williams. We also listen to select clips from a 1950 educational film called "Buying Food".
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Empty Glass, But Full of Music (Show 177)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
Sam Donahue was an excellent saxophonist and a darn good bandleader as well. Before leading his own band, Donahue was a sideman in the bands of Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman during the 1930's. He started his own band in 1940 and recorded some sides but then was called into military service in 1942 where he served as a sideman again in Artie Shaw's Navy Band. When Shaw was discharged in early 1944, Donahue took over that band and made it his own. You can hear many recordings by Donahue's Navy band right here on Swing City Radio. He recorded many V-Discs and some great live performances for the Armed Forces. Great stuff!
Listen to: "LST Party" by Sam Donahue's Navy Band from a 1946 V-Disc
After the war, Sam formed his new, civilian band and it enjoyed some moderate success. His orchestra featured names like trumpeter Doc Severinsen, vocalists Frances Wayne and Jo Stafford, and even had Leo Reisman aboard as an arranger. It was a good band, but in 1951 it dissolved due to Donahue re-enlisting in the Navy to serve in the Korean War.
After serving his second tour of duty, Donahue returned to the States and again worked as a sideman in Tommy Dorsey's band in 1952, in Billy May's Orchestra from 1954 to 1956, and with Stan Kenton in 1960.
Listen to: "Sunny Side Of The Street" by Sam Donahue's Navy Band
from an episode of Yank Bandstand (AFRS)
In late 1961, Donahue was named the leader of the late, Tommy Dorsey's band. Donahue and the Dorsey Orchestra recorded and toured throughout the early part of the 1960's and the band would later feature the vocals of a young Frank Sinatra Jr.
You can hear the music of Sam Donahue right here on Swing City Radio.
Today's Soundie features Will Bradley and His Orchestra performing "Boardwalk Boogie." Such a great song. The Soundie itself was filmed in 1941, and filmed quite well capturing a great band in it's prime as well as some very good dancing. While watching this you can feel the raw energy that defined the Will Bradley Orchestra.
The "Beach Party" where the "jitterbugs" are hanging out is really a soundstage in New York City. Ironically enough, this was shot in the chilly month of December.
There are some big names that appear in this clip including: Ray McKinley, Freddie Slack, Peanuts Hucko and, of course, Will Bradley himself. This song was originally titled "This Little Icky Went to Town" but was later changed to "Boardwalk Boogie" for this Soundie.
Enjoy!
Watch the Soundie: "Boardwalk Boogie" featuring Will Bradley and His Orchestra
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Dreaming of a Rebel - Show 176 -
Features music by Kitty Kallen, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry James and more. We also learn a little bit about Rebel Randall, Jukebox USA and listen to another Soundie by Miss Gloria Parker.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Dreaming of a Rebel (Show 176)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Great Moments By The Riverside - Show 175 -
Features vintage recordings by Sammy Kaye, Lucky Millinder and Guy Lombardo. We also learn a little bit about water safety from an educational film about the topic released in 1953.
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Great Moments By The Riverside (Show 175)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Leaping On a Greyhound Bus - Show 174 -
Features music by Gene Krupa, Harry James, Woody Herman and more. We also listen to some audio reminders from Camay - "Remember Why Your Husband Married You".
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: Leaping On a Greyhound Bus (Show 174)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
The Big Band and Swing Podcast - A Bunny, Four Kings and a Doctor - Show 173 -
Features vintage recordings by Bunny Berigan, The King Sisters and Muggsy Spanier. We also learn a little bit about small town doctors from an educational film called "The Doctor".
* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons. Artists are credited within the podcast.
Listen to: A Bunny, Four Kings and a Doctor (Show 173)
Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com
Many of you probably know by now that I've been spending some time transferring my growing collection of 78rpm recordings to MP3. I've been publicly sharing the music on The Swing City Radio Youtube Channel. Here's a direct link to the playlist: Ronnaldo's 78rpm Collection
Here's a couple that I've posted in mid-July:
"Love Me! Love Me! Love Me!" by Sammy Kaye
This was released in 1949 on the RCA Victor Label. It includes vocals by The Kaydets.
Listen to: "Love Me! Love Me! Love Me!" by Sammy Kaye from 1949.
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"Bolero At The Savoy" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra
This great track by Krupa was recorded in New York, NY on November 25, 1941. It was originally released on the Okeh label. This is from the Columbia release from 1944 and features Anita O'Day on vocals.
Listen to: "Bolero At The Savoy" by Gene Krupa from 1944
The Casa Loma Orchestra was one of the top Dance Bands in the early to mid 1930's. The band was active from the late 1920's to 1947 and then re-emerged in 1957. The Casa Loma Orchestra had a few leaders over the years but the most notable was saxophonist, Glen Gray.
The band originally assembled under the name The Orange Blossoms in Detroit, Michigan. By the time of their first recordings in 1929, they had changed their name to The Casa Loma Orchestra.
The business model and structure of this band was much different than most others. Almost all other bands at this time had a "leader" for whom everyone worked. Casa Loma operated as a collective group. In 1930, the Casa Loma Orchestra was incorporated in New York with the members becoming owners, shareholders, and board members. The band members were hired on the grounds of musical competence and would have to follow a strict code of conduct and financial rules. Members who broke the rules could be summoned before the "board", have their contract bought out, and be ejected from the band.
Listen to: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" performed by
Glen Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra (1942).
This recording is from my personal collection of 78 recordings.
The band was led by a person that was hand-picked by the band itself. Casa Loma's first bandleader was violinist Hank Biagini. In 1937, the band overwhelmingly voted in favor of Glen Grey leading the orchestra, and Gray finally accepted the job.
The Casa Loma Orchestra released A LOT of music during their run in the 1930's and 40's. They scored a boatload of hits and enjoyed a long run on radio including extended stints on Camel Caravan.
After 1947, the Casa Loma band had ceased touring, and Glen Gray retired. The later recordings on Capitol Records, beginning with Casa Loma in Hi-Fi in 1956 and continuing through the Sounds of the Great Bands series, were done with Gray leading a group of studio musicians in Hollywood. Several of the Casa Loma alumni would occasionally be featured as well. In all, some 14 high-fidelity and stereo recordings were made for Capitol Records under the name of Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra before Gray's death in 1963.
... and speaking of Casa Loma alumni, a few of the names that passed through the band over the years included: Pee Wee Hunt, Sonny Dunham, Kenny Sargent and Horace Henderson. Keep in mind, the band maintained a stable collection of personnel that didn't change much because of the member ownership structure they had in place.
Listen to: "Come and Get It" performed by
Glen Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra.
Interesting Note: In 1943, Eugenie Baird became "the first girl vocalist ever featured" with the Casa Loma Orchestra.
You can hear the many hits of The Casa Loma Orchestra right here on Swing City Radio.
.JPG "Jimmy Dorsey")
