Here’s my broker’s assortment of observations, links, and amusements. I enjoy sharing these odds and ends, and plan to continue doing so on an occasional basis. This compendium is free to all—so you can share it with others—but the next one will be a special for paid subscribers.
Trying again...Thanks, Ted. One of my favorite artifacts from the big band era is a midnight 1937 radio broadcast by the Count Basie Orchestra. At the time, the orchestra featured Jimmy Rushing and Willie Holiday as singers. The narrator is entertaining and hip. Here is a YouTube clip of Jimmy Rushing singing "When My Dreamboat Comes Home". Oh to be young and living in New York in 1937. My Mom's family were there in Flushing, but worlds away from this amazing musical scene. "And once again, the fields of gloom are adroitly plowed under." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_3KX4b1Eo
My father and his two brothers were big band fanatics. However their listening was limited to Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorseys et al. No Ellington or Basie. The best big band I ever heard live was Illinois Jacquet at Tavern on the Green in the mid-90's. Then there were the pre-Castro Cuban big bands when musicians used to swap instruments mid-song and not miss a beat!
Trying again...Thanks, Ted. One of my favorite artifacts from the big band era is a midnight 1937 radio broadcast by the Count Basie Orchestra. At the time, the orchestra featured Jimmy Rushing and Willie Holiday as singers. The narrator is entertaining and hip. Here is a YouTube clip of Jimmy Rushing singing "When My Dreamboat Comes Home". Oh to be young and living in New York in 1937. My Mom's family were there in Flushing, but worlds away from this amazing musical scene. "And once again, the fields of gloom are adroitly plowed under." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_3KX4b1Eo
My father and his two brothers were big band fanatics. However their listening was limited to Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorseys et al. No Ellington or Basie. The best big band I ever heard live was Illinois Jacquet at Tavern on the Green in the mid-90's. Then there were the pre-Castro Cuban big bands when musicians used to swap instruments mid-song and not miss a beat!